Ballads: 'And yet, the secret of their worth, Must live and die with me''

Amelia Ann Blanford Edwards was born on 7th June 1831 in Islington, London. She was educated at home by her mother and showed early promise as a writer, publishing her first poem at the age of 7 and her first story at 12. Thereafter came a variety of poetry, stories and articles in several periodicals, including Chambers's Journal, Household Words, All the Year Round, the Saturday Review and the Morning Post.

In addition, Amelia became an artist. She would illustrate some of her own writings...