Rebekah Carmichael

Rebekah Carmichael
Born1766?
Died1823
Edinburgh
Occupationpoet
Period1790–1806

Rebekah Carmichael, also spelled Rebecca,[1] later Hay (1766?–1823) was a British poet. Most of her works are sonnets and short lyrical poems.[2]

Biography

Rebekah Carmichael was most likely born in London, to James and Sarah Carmichael and was baptized at the church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields on 24 May 1766,[3][4] although according to some sources, she may have been born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland.[1] If she was born in London, her reason of her moving to Scotland is unknown.[3] Her parents died when she was young.[5] In 1793, she married John Hay in Edinburgh, with whom she had four children,[3] including the well-regarded artist and writer David Ramsay Hay.[3][5]

As a published writer, she was active in the years 1790–1806.[1][6] Much of her poetry work contains themes of love, loss, and beauty.[2] She appears to have had significant connections in Scotland;[3] in 1787, Robert Burns gave her a book of poetry by Robert Fergusson,[3][6] in which he wrote: "This copy of Ferguson's Poems is presented as a mark of esteem, friendship, and regard to Miss R. Carmichael, poetess".[6] In 1790, she published in Edinburgh a collection of her works under the title Poems,[1][3] signed with her birth name of Carmichael.[6] The book was dedicated to David Stuart Moncreiff[1][3] and was published by subscription;[6] Burns was among the recipients.[3][5] The topics of the poems were varied, ranging from love to musings on nature.[1] One of her subscribers includes physician to King George II, Dr Carmichael Smyth of London.[3]

In 1806, she published in a single sheet "Extempore, on seeing Sir William Forbes's Funeral" under her married name.[6]

Records show that Carmichael became severely impoverished when her husband, John Hay, died in 1806. A letter attached to her poem "Extempore, on Seeing Sir William Forbes Funeral" addressed to Archibald Constable begs him for a loan.[4] She died in 1823 due to an unknown accident and is buried at Canongate, a street in Edinburgh.[3]

Her poetry was included in such anthologies as Eighteenth Century Women Poets: An Oxford Anthology (1989)[5] and Scottish Poetry, 1730-1830 (2023).[1]

Carmichael's poetry style is similar to those of many other romantic poets of the era.[2] She was influenced by poet Anna Laetitia Barbauld, who promoted exploring personal feelings in literature.[2] Carmichael incorporates vivid imagery and sincerity in her poetry.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Cook, Daniel, ed. (2023). "Rebekah Carmichael". Scottish Poetry, 1730-1830. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-252535-2.
  2. ^ a b c d e "AllPoetry". allpoetry.com. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Carmichael, Rebekah". Jackson Bibliography of Romantic Poetry. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  4. ^ a b "Carmichael, Rebekah". jacksonbibliography.library.utoronto.ca. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  5. ^ a b c d Lonsdale, Roger, ed. (1989). Eighteenth-century women poets: an Oxford anthology. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press. p. 445. ISBN 978-0-19-811769-8.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Hawkins, Ann R.; Eckroth, Stephanie, eds. (2020). "Carmichael, Rebekah". Romantic Women Writers Reviewed, Part II vol 6. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-74853-6.