Manning-Sanders, Ruth, 1886 - 1988
Dates
- Existence: 21 August 1886 - 12 October 1988
Biography
Ruth Manning-Sanders was born in Swansea, Wales on 21 August 1886. She was the youngest daughter of John Edmondson Manning, a Unitarian minister, and Emma Manning (nee Browne Brock). The family moved to Sheffield when she was three, and then, relocated to Manchester in 1902.
She went on to study English literature and Shakespearean studies at Manchester University. Due to an illness, she was forced to leave university and whilst convalescing in Devon she met artist, George Sanders (later known as George Manning-Sanders). They married in 1911 and spent much of their early married life touring England in a horse-drawn caravan with Rosaire’s Circus, owned by Fred Ross (also known as Fred Rosaire or ‘The Count’).
She wrote about her experiences with the circus extensively. Her novel titled ‘The Golden Ball: A Novel of the Circus’ (1954) is said to include parallels with the life of Leon LaRoche, a famed circus performer with Barnum & Bailey Circus from 1895 through 1902. She also wrote about the origins and history of the circus in her book titled, ‘The English Circus’ (1952).
Ruth Manning-Sanders had a very successful writing career with her first work published in 1919. Two of her early poetry collections were published by The Hogarth Press run by Leonard and Virginia Woolf. She went on to write ninety books in varying genres, including prose, poetry and non-fiction. She is best known for her children’s’ stories and retelling of fairytales and ancient legends, which she began writing after the Second World War.
She died in Penzance, Cornwall aged 102 on 12 October 1988.
Found in 120 Collections and/or Records:
Astley's Amphitheatre Interior View, c1930 - 1955
Black and white photograph reproduction of an illustration of the interior view of Astley's Amphitheatre as it appeared in 1777 from an original drawing by William Capon.
Aubrey Rosaire, Zena Rosaire, Johnny Swallow and 'Little Freddie' Halles, c1936 - 1942
Black and white photograph of Aubrey Rosaire (dressed as a clown), Zena Rosaire, Johnny Swallow and 'Little Freddie' Halles, standing in front of a circus tent.
Betty Rosaire with Two Dogs, c1940 - 1950
Black and white photograph of Betty Rosaire (nee Kayes), shown holding two small dogs. Photograph stamped on the reverse as the copyright of Captain A. E. Middleton.
Circus Performing Family with a Horse, c1935 - 1938
Photographic negative of a man and a women in costume, with a young boy and a older women, thought to have been taken at Fossett's Circus.
Circus Performing Family with a Horse, c1935 - 1938
Black and white photograph of a man and a women in costume, with a young boy and a older women, thought to have been taken at Fossett's Circus.
Circus Performing Family with a Horse, c1935 - 1938
Black and white photograph of a man and a women in costume, with a young boy and a older women, thought to have been taken at Fossett's Circus.
Cissy Rosaire and Wally Shufflebottom Riding Elephants on Their Wedding Day, 1936
Black and white postcard, taken from height, looking down at Cecilia Rosaire (also know as Cissy Rosaire) and Wally Shufflebottom on their wedding day, shown riding an elephant with another elephant and a large crowd surrounding them outside St. Mary Magdalen Church on the High Street, Billericay, Essex. The elephants are possibly 'Salt' and 'Saucy'. Florence Rosaire (also known as 'The Countess') can be seen in the middle of the photograph smiling at the camera.
Clem Merks in Leopard Print Costume, c1930 - 1955
Black and white photograph of animal trainer, Clem Merks, shown in a leopard print costume outside a living caravan. Stamped on the reverse as the copyright of Captain A. E. Middleton.
Correspondence, 1932 - 1949
Includes correspondence sent to Ruth Manning-Sanders from performers that she met whilst travelling with the circus, including Freddie Pickford and various members of the Rosaire family, notably Fred Rosaire (also known as The Count) and Florence Rosaire (known as The Countess).
Correspondence from Freddie Pickford, 25 August 1932 - 4 February 1937
Manuscript letters sent to Ruth Manning-Sanders from Freddie Pickford, relating to his route while performing as an animal trainer with 'Empire Circus', the financial problems experienced during his time working for a circus in Portsmouth, as well as news concerning his elephant, Lizzie. The letters are signed 'F. Pickford and Lizzie the Elephant'.
Correspondence from the Rosaire Family, 23 December 1938 - 22 November 1949
Czeslaw Mroczkowski and his Horses, c1930 - 1955
Black and white photograph of horse trainer, Czeslaw Mroczkowski, with a line of horses. Stamped on the reverse as the copyright of Captain A. E. Middleton.
Dennis Rosaire and a Clown, c1936 - 1942
Black and white postcard of a man in a suit, thought to be Dennis Rosaire with a man dressed as a clown, possibly Aubrey Rosaire.
Dennis Rosaire in a Spanish Style Costume, c1936 - 1950
Black and white postcard of Dennis Rosaire, in Spanish matador or bullfighting style costume standing in front of a circus tent.
Dennis Rosaire on the Wire, c1938 - 1950
Black and white photograph of Dennis Rosaire balancing on one hand on a low wire. This photograph was published in Ruth Manning-Sanders book titled, 'The English Circus', published in 1952.
Dennis Rosaire Standing Outside Circus Tent, c1936 - 1950
Black and white photograph of a man dressed in a suit in front of a circus tent, thought to be Dennis Rosaire.
Dennis Rosaire, Two Unidentified Men and Three Horses, c1936 - 1950
Black and white postcard of Dennis Rosaire, in Spanish matador or bullfighting style costume, with two unidentified men and three horses (foreground), as well as circus vehicles (background).
Derrick Rosaire and a Dancing Bear, c1940 - 1950
Black and white photograph of Derrick Rosaire shown backstage training a bear. Photograph stamped on the reverse as the copyright of Captain A. E. Middleton.
Don Valento Business Card, c1940 - 1950
Business card for 'Don Valento on the wire' (aka Dennis Rosaire). White card, black text and illustrated with a black and white photograph of Dennis Rosaire, shown balancing on a wire. Pencil inscription on the reverse of the card reads as follows: 'Betty King 8B Morland Road, East Croydon'. 1p.
Elephant, Clown and Seven Circus Workers, c1936 - 1950
Black and white postcard of an elephant holding a Union Jack flag, shown with an unidentified clown, and seven men, possibly circus workers (foreground). Also showing a circus tent (background).
Additional filters:
- Type
- Archival Object 119
- Collection 1
- Subject
- Acrobats 4
- Aerialists 9
- Animal trainers 33
- Animals 58
- Caravans 12
- Caricatures and cartoons 4
- Circus 116
- Clowning 12
- Dwarfs (Persons) 7
- Equestrians 13
- Exhibitions 3
- Fairground art 4
- Fairs 5
- Family 31
- Gymnasts 4
- Performers 88
- Stunt performers 11
- Tightrope walking 9
- World War, 1939-1945 2 + ∧ less