Journalist and novelist; daughter of a Cumberland clergyman. No schooling; "did lessons" with eldest sister; read books in her father's library; taught herself languages. Early began writing verses and stories. In 1845, with grudging consent of her father, went to London to read at British Museum and complete a novel that she had begun. Published Azeth, the Egyptian, 1846, at her own expense; the book favourably reviewed in the Times. Sold her second novel, Amymone, 1848, to Bentley. In the Examiner, July 22 1848, appeared the laudatory verses: "Walter Savage Landor to Eliza Lynn, on her Amymone". Had met Landor shortly before; became his close friend—his "dear daughter". Turned to journalism for a livelihood. In 1848 obtained position on staff of Morning Chronicle at twenty guineas a month; was thus first English woman newspaper writer to draw fixed salary. From that time to end of her life wrote for more than thirty-five periodicals; much of her writing in Literary Gazette, Saturday Review, Cornhill, Pall Mall Gazette. Author of some twenty-five novels and collections of stories, her two best novels being The True History of Joshua Davidson and The Autobiography of Christopher Kirkland. Also brought out in book form some of her periodical articles. Was throughout her life an independent thinker in matters of religion and social relationships; in middle life abandoned the "advanced" ideas that she had formerly held on position of women. In 1858 married William James Linton, the wood engraver; the marriage an unsatisfactory one.
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