May Kendall

May Kendall, born Emma Goldworth Kendall, was an English poet, novelist, and satirist whose literary career spanned the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She studied at Somerville College, Oxford, where her intellectual pursuits laid the groundwork for her diverse body of work. Kendall is best known for her collaboration with Andrew Lang on the novel 'That Very Mab' and for her poetry collections 'Dreams to Sell' and 'Songs from Dreamland.' Among her notable contributions is the satirical poem 'Lay of the Trilobite,' which critiques the Victorian response to Darwin's evolutionary theory and was published in Punch Magazine, where she was a regular contributor for a decade. Her writings often explored themes of evolution, the New Woman, and the social hypocrisies of British society, marking her as a significant voice in her time. In 1895, Kendall shifted her focus from professional writing to social reform, dedicating her efforts to causes championed by the Rowntree Family in York. Despite her literary achievements, her later years were marked by hardship, culminating in her death in poverty at a public assistance institution. Kendall's legacy is one of a pioneering female writer who engaged with contemporary scientific discourse and social issues, leaving behind a body of work that reflects both her literary talent and her commitment to societal change. Her unmarked grave in York Cemetery serves as a poignant reminder of her life and contributions to literature and social reform.