May Kendall

May Kendall, born Emma Goldworth Kendall, was an English poet, novelist, and satirist active during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Educated at Somerville College, Oxford, she established herself as a distinct literary voice through her sharp wit and engagement with contemporary intellectual debates. Her early career was marked by contributions to prominent publications, including a ten-year tenure writing for Punch magazine, where she published some of her most celebrated satirical verse.

Kendall's writing frequently engaged with the scientific advancements of her era, particularly Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Her highly anthologized poem, "Lay of the Trilobite," offered a humorous critique of the public's reaction to evolutionary science. Beyond scientific themes, her work explored the concept of the "New Woman" and targeted the hypocrisy of Victorian British society. Her notable publications include the poetry collections Dreams to Sell and Songs from Dreamland, as well as the satirical novel That Very Mab, which she co-authored with Andrew Lang. She also collaborated with Lang by abridging stories for his famous Fairy Books series.

In 1895, Kendall shifted her focus away from professional writing to dedicate herself to social reform. Settling in York, she worked closely with the philanthropic Rowntree family on various social initiatives. Despite her early literary success and reform efforts, Kendall spent her final years in poverty. She passed away in 1943 at a public assistance institution in York, suffering from dementia, and was buried in an unmarked grave in York Cemetery.