Sedgwick, Anne Douglas

Sedgwick, Anne Douglas (1873–1935),born in New Jersey, taken to England at the age of nine, lived the rest of her life abroad, where in 1908 she married the English author Basil de Sélincourt. Her novels, which follow in the school of Henry James, are concerned with problems of social relationship and the contrasts of American with English and continental standards. The more important of her early novels include The Rescue (1902) and A Fountain Sealed (1907), both dealing with the hatred between a mother and daughter, the former set in Paris and the latter in Boston. Amabel Channice (1908) is the story of a woman who idolizes her husband, Sir Hugh Channice, because he has forgiven her infidelity and reared her illegitimate child as his own, until her illusions are destroyed by the revelation of his real character by his mistress. Franklin Winslow Kane (1910) contrasts an American and an English couple. Tante (1911) is a psychological study of a genius. The Encounter (1914), another study of genius, concerns an aging German philosopher and his jealous insistence upon adoration. The Third Window (1920) deals with the attempt of a woman to prevent by supernatural means the remarriage of the widow of the man whom she had idolized. Adrienne Toner⧫ (1922) is a character study of an American girl and her power over the English among whom she lives. The Little French Girl (1924) presents a contrast of French and English standards of life. The Old Countess (1927), a tragic story again contrasting French and English characters, was followed by Dark Hester (1929), dealing with hatred between a mother‐in‐law and daughter‐in‐law and their love for the same man. Philippa (1930) is the story of a selfish man whose wife sacrifices her life to him and their equally selfish daughter. Her collections of short stories were published as The Nest (1913) and Christmas Roses (1920), the latter published in England as Autumn Crocuses (1920). Her letters were edited by her husband (1936).