When First World War relief efforts swept across the United Kingdom in late 1914, seventeen-year-old Princess Mary mobilized Britain’s literary elite to produce a unique philanthropic anthology. The resulting volume brought together famous novelists, poets, and naturalists to generate relief funds for women displaced by the economic shock of the war.
Princess Mary’s Gift Book is a 1914 Edwardian anthology compiled under the patronage of Princess Mary and featuring works by Various Authors—including Arthur Conan Doyle, Rudyard Kipling, J.M. Barrie, and Baroness Orczy—to support the Queen Mary’s Work for Women Fund. Spanning patriotic fiction, poetry, nature essays, and fairy tales, the collection reflects early wartime British culture. It is ideal for readers of classic early 20th-century literature and imperial history, though less suited for those seeking a singular, continuous narrative.
| Metadata Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Patron / Compiler | Princess Mary (Features Various Authors) |
| Publication Era | 1914 (World War I Home Front) |
| Genre | Charity Anthology / Short Story & Poetry Collection |
| Notable Contributors | J.M. Barrie, A. Conan Doyle, Rudyard Kipling, Baroness Orczy, H. Rider Haggard, Alfred Noyes, J.H. Fabre, Kate Douglas Wiggin |
| Primary Purpose | Fundraising for the Work for Women Fund |
| Target Audience | Enthusiasts of Edwardian literature, historical fiction fans, and military historians |
Plot Overview & Premise
Rather than following a single character or plotline, the collection serves as a snapshot of British literary talent at the onset of World War I. Comprising twenty distinct selections, the volume mixes lighthearted entertainment with earnest expressions of patriotism and civic responsibility.
The collection opens with J.M. Barrie’s satirical essay “A Holiday in Bed,” offering whimsical advice on the art of remaining comfortably ill. Contrastingly, narrative fiction forms the core of the book, featuring suspenseful and historical tales. Baroness Orczy contributes a high-stakes adventure titled “Out of the Jaws of Death,” revisiting her popular Scarlet Pimpernel universe to deliver a rescue narrative set against the French Revolution. Arthur Conan Doyle offers “Bimbashi Joyce,” a military tale exploring character and duty in Egypt, while H. Rider Haggard provides “Magepa the Buck,” drawing on his African background to weave a tale of loyalty and endurance.
Non-fiction and verse also play major roles. Renowned French entomologist Jean-Henri Fabre contributes “The Ant-Lion,” an observational piece on insect behavior. Poetic entries include Rudyard Kipling’s naval poem “Big Steamers,” which underscores the vital reliance of the British Isles on merchant shipping, and Alfred Noyes’ whimsical “A Spell for a Fairy.” Together, these disparate contributions created a popular gift volume designed for family reading during the holiday season of 1914.
Key Themes & Literary Analysis
The anthology operates on several thematic levels, blending overt civic propaganda with comforting escapism:
- Early Wartime Patriotism: Published in the opening months of World War I, several entries reflect the idealism and national duty characteristic of 1914 Britain. Stories like “True Spartan Hearts” and “Canada’s Word” highlight imperial solidarity and military sacrifice, encouraging public support for relief initiatives.
- Escapism and Comfort Reading: Recognizing that the wartime public needed distraction alongside solemnity, the editors balanced martial tales with fairy stories, domestic humor, and nature studies. Pieces such as “The Land of Let’s Pretend” provided young readers and families a temporary reprieve from real-world conflict.
- Imperial Geography: The settings stretch across the global reach of the contemporary British Empire—from the Sudanese borderlands to Canadian frontiers and South African landscapes—mirroring the broad geopolitical outlook of the Edwardian populace.
Who Should Read This?
Recommended For:
- Historians and researchers studying the British home front, social history, and fundraising efforts during World War I.
- Fans of classic Edwardian writers who want to explore lesser-known short works by authors like J.M. Barrie, A. Conan Doyle, and Baroness Orczy.
- Readers who appreciate historical anthologies featuring a variety of literary forms, including poetry, essays, and short fiction.
Who Might Skip It:
- Readers looking for a modern pace or a unified long-form plot.
- Those sensitive to early 20th-century imperial viewpoints and outdated cultural depictions present in historical works.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the historical cause behind this collection?
The book was organized in late 1914 by Princess Mary to raise money for the Queen Mary’s Work for Women Fund. This charity provided relief and employment support for British women who faced immediate poverty or joblessness due to the economic disruption at the start of World War I.
Is this volume intended for adult readers or children?
The anthology was designed as a family gift book for general audiences. It contains a balance of material suitable for young readers—such as poems and fairy tales—alongside historical adventure stories and essays suited for adults.
Are the stories in this book exclusive to this volume?
While some authors written original pieces specifically for the charitable cause, others provided existing stories or expanded works from their well-known series, such as Baroness Orczy’s short piece featuring the Scarlet Pimpernel.