[Gutenberg 8734] • East of Paris: Sketches in the Gâtinais, Bourbonnais, and Champagne

Matilda Betham-Edwards (1836-1919) was a novelist, travel writer and francophile. She was also a prolific poet and wrote several children's books. She corresponded with well-known English male poets of the day. She was born in Suffolk, England. Her interests ranged widely but a major commitment of her life and work was to France and the French. She considered France her second native land and made it her mission to bring about better understanding and sympathy between the two countries which shared her allegiance. The French government made her an Officier de l'Instruction Publique de France in recognition of her untiring efforts towards the establishment of a genuine and lasting entente cordiale. She was awarded a medal at the Anglo-French Exhibition of 1908.