Agnes Giberne (1845–1939)

Agnes Giberne was born in India, one of several daughters of Major Charles Giberne, a British army officer. After her father retired, she was educated by governesses in Europe and England. An amateur astronomer, she became a founder-member of the British Astronomical Association. She wrote short stories and novels for children and young people, many of them with "improving" themes. Her easy-to-read, pioneering works on astronomy and the natural world for beginners were popular and well received. Her book Sun, Moon and Stars: Astronomy for Beginners (1879), went through several editions on both sides of the Atlantic. She also wrote a biography A Lady of England: The Life and Letters of Charlotte Maria Tucker (1895). During the 40 years of her literary career, she produced more than 100 books.