The Fair Penitent

Adelaide Anne Procter, a talented poet born in 1825, began her literary journey as a teenager, gaining recognition through Charles Dickens' periodicals. Using the pseudonym Mary Berwick, she submitted her work to ensure it was evaluated on its merit, leading to a prolific collaboration with Dickens. Her poetry, including the early piece "Ministering Angels," was later compiled into volumes titled Legends and Lyrics. Procter also edited the journal Victoria Regia, promoting women's employment. Despite her contributions, her health declined, and she passed away in 1864 from tuberculosis.