The Undesirable Governess (Illustrated Edition)

Francis Marion Crawford (1854-1909) was an American author noted for his many novels, especially those set in Italy, and for his classic weird and fantastic stories. He was born in Tuscany, the only son of American sculptor Thomas Crawford. His sister was the writer Mary Crawford Fraser (aka Mrs Hugh Fraser), and he was the nephew of Julia Ward Howe, the poet. He was educated in the US, England and Europe, and in 1879 went to India where he studied Sanskrit and edited The Indian Herald in Allahabad. On his return to the US in 1881 he continued his Sanskrit studies at Harvard and contributed to various periodicals over the following few years while living in Boston with his aunt Julia and uncle, Sam Ward. When his hopes of a career as an operatic baritone were dashed, his uncle suggested he try writing about his time in India and helped him establish contacts with New York publishers. In December 1882 he produced his first novel, Mr Isaacs, a sketch of modern Anglo-Indian life mixed with a touch of Oriental mystery, which was an immediate success, followed quickly by Dr Claudius in 1883. That year he returned to Italy where he made his permanent home in Sant’Agnello in a house he renamed Villa Crawford. More than half his novels are set in Italy and he wrote three long historical studies of the country. Among his best known horror stories are The Upper Berth (1886), For the Blood is the Life (1905, a vampire tale), The Dead Smile (1899), and The Screaming Skull (1908). Published posthumously in book form in 1910, this humorous novella tells the story of the search for a governess for two unruly sisters, Evelyn and Gwendolyn Follitt, aged 14 and 15. Previous incumbents of the role have had the misfortune to be too attractive, thus proving a temptation for the girls’ older brothers (and father!), so when Miss Scott, a seemingly frumpy young woman with impeccable references, applies for the position their mother is quick to take her on. However, the arrival of the new governess has unexpected consequences, including an escapade with a home-made hot air balloon, making for a fast-paced and amusing adventure with strong and varied female characters. With black and white illustrations throughout by Arthur Wallis Mills. 3