Lennox, Charlotte (1730-1804)

English novelist. Her popular novel The Female Quixote 1752 describes how the beautiful and intelligent Arabella creates comic misunderstandings through interpreting real life as if it were a French romance. Lennox published several other novels, including The Life of Harriet Stuart 1750 and Henrietta 1758; she also wrote plays, and produced Shakespear Illustrated 1753-54, the first compilation of Shakespearean sources. She died penniless, having supported her improvident husband throughout her writing life.

She was the daughter of an English army officer, and spent her early years in America. She moved to London 1735, and turned to writing after a brief period on the stage.