In The Biographical Notice of Ellis and Acton Bell, Charlotte Brontë pays homage to her sisters, telling the story of how she, Emily, and Anne found their paths to becoming published authors. This was no simple feat for women of their time, particularly those who had no money, status, or contacts.

Written in 1850, after both Emily and Anne had already died tragically young, Charlotte explains their pseudonyms as the “Bells.” She was Currer, Emily was Ellis, and Anne was Acton. She, like her sisters, believed that using ambiguous names would make it easier to interest publishers in their works.

In this essay, she also speaks of the untimely deaths of Emily and Anne. Here, in Charlotte’s own words, is her 1850 biographical sketch of her talented sisters: Read More→