Author Description

One of the most celebrated and enduringly popular animal stories, 'Black Beauty' was originally written as an appeal for the humane treatment of horses. This suspenseful and deeply moving account of a horse's experiences at the hands of many owners is retold in this classic tale- some, sensitive riders who treated him gently; others, cruel drivers who thoughtlessly inflicted lasting damage. It is a compelling tale of a spirited young Thoroughbred that captured the hearts of readers throughout Victorian England when it was first published in 1877. Anna Sewell's beloved classic reveals as much about human conduct and the social ills of the time as it does about the treatment of animals. Animal lovers of all ages will cherish this memorable story. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Anna Sewell was a kind and generous woman whose great love for horses and desire to see them better treated resulted in the most celebrated animal story of the nineteenth century. Born into a strict Quaker family who lived at Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, she was brought up to believe in the importance of self-reliance, moral responsibility and 'tender consideration for the Creatures of God'. From an early age she developed a strong love of animals and abhorred any form of cruelty towards them. She seemed to have a natural affinity with horses, and the great knowledge of horsemanship evident in 'Black Beauty' was born from a lifetime's experience. Anna received her education at home from her mother, who as well as instilling in her a sense of duty and religion also filled the house with music, painting and poetry-she was herself an accomplished ballad-writer-and Anna soon proved a capable pianist and artist. When she was fourteen, Anna, who already suffered from a crippling bone disease, had a fall which left her an invalid for the rest of her life. By her mid-thirties she was no longer able to get around by herself and relied on a pony cart to transport her. Characteristically she never used a whip on her own