Skip to main content

Manning-Sanders, Ruth, 1886 - 1988

 Person

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

 Item — Box Ruth Manning-Sanders Box 1: Series 178C141
Reference code: 178C141.156
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: c1930 - 1955

Aubrey Rosaire, Zena Rosaire, Johnny Swallow and 'Little Freddie' Halles, c1936 - 1942

 Item — Box Ruth Manning-Sanders Box 1: Series 178C141
Reference code: 178C141.115
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: c1936 - 1942

Betty Rosaire with Two Dogs, c1940 - 1950

 Item — Box Ruth Manning-Sanders Box 1: Series 178C141
Reference code: 178C141.116
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: c1940 - 1950

Circus Performing Family with a Horse, c1935 - 1938

 Item — Box Ruth Manning-Sanders Box 1: Series 178C141
Reference code: 178C141.58
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: c1935 - 1938

Circus Performing Family with a Horse, c1935 - 1938

 Item — Box Ruth Manning-Sanders Box 1: Series 178C141
Reference code: 178C141.62
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: c1935 - 1938

Circus Performing Family with a Horse, c1935 - 1938

 Item — Box Ruth Manning-Sanders Box 1: Series 178C141
Reference code: 178C141.63
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: c1935 - 1938

Cissy Rosaire and Wally Shufflebottom Riding Elephants on Their Wedding Day, 1936

 Item — Box Ruth Manning-Sanders Box 1: Series 178C141
Reference code: 178C141.92
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1936

Clem Merks in Leopard Print Costume, c1930 - 1955

 Item — Box Ruth Manning-Sanders Box 1: Series 178C141
Reference code: 178C141.136
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: c1930 - 1955

Correspondence, 1932 - 1949

 Series
Reference code: 178F45
Scope and Contents

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).

Dates: 1932 - 1949

Correspondence from Freddie Pickford, 25 August 1932 - 4 February 1937

 File — Box Ruth Manning-Sanders Box 2: Series 178F45; Series 178G66; Series 178Z72
Reference code: 178F45.1
Scope and Contents

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'.

Dates: 25 August 1932 - 4 February 1937

Correspondence from the Rosaire Family, 23 December 1938 - 22 November 1949

 File — Box Ruth Manning-Sanders Box 2: Series 178F45; Series 178G66; Series 178Z72
Reference code: 178F45.2
Scope and Contents Manuscript letters sent to Ruth Manning-Sanders from Fred Rosaire (known as 'The Count') and Florence Rosaire (known as 'The Countess') of Rosaire’s Circus, as well as other members of the Rosaire family, including: ‘Martin and Ida’, ‘Dennis and Emilia’, Zena Rosaire, ‘Helen’ (wife of Aubrey Rosaire) and ‘Lucy’ (wife of Ivor Rosaire). Interspersed with letters from Frank Geddes, Bernard C. Harris and Douglas G. H. Burrage, all of which worked for, or were connected with, Rosaire’s Circus....
Dates: 23 December 1938 - 22 November 1949

Czeslaw Mroczkowski and his Horses, c1930 - 1955

 Item — Box Ruth Manning-Sanders Box 1: Series 178C141
Reference code: 178C141.137
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: c1930 - 1955

Dennis Rosaire and a Clown, c1936 - 1942

 Item — Box Ruth Manning-Sanders Box 1: Series 178C141
Reference code: 178C141.101
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: c1936 - 1942

Dennis Rosaire in a Spanish Style Costume, c1936 - 1950

 Item — Box Ruth Manning-Sanders Box 1: Series 178C141
Reference code: 178C141.106
Scope and Contents

Black and white postcard of Dennis Rosaire, in Spanish matador or bullfighting style costume standing in front of a circus tent.

Dates: c1936 - 1950

Dennis Rosaire on the Wire, c1938 - 1950

 Item — Box Ruth Manning-Sanders Box 1: Series 178C141
Reference code: 178C141.120
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: c1938 - 1950

Dennis Rosaire Standing Outside Circus Tent, c1936 - 1950

 Item — Box Ruth Manning-Sanders Box 1: Series 178C141
Reference code: 178C141.103
Scope and Contents

Black and white photograph of a man dressed in a suit in front of a circus tent, thought to be Dennis Rosaire.

Dates: c1936 - 1950

Dennis Rosaire, Two Unidentified Men and Three Horses, c1936 - 1950

 Item — Box Ruth Manning-Sanders Box 1: Series 178C141
Reference code: 178C141.98
Scope and Contents

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).

Dates: c1936 - 1950

Derrick Rosaire and a Dancing Bear, c1940 - 1950

 Item — Box Ruth Manning-Sanders Box 1: Series 178C141
Reference code: 178C141.117
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: c1940 - 1950

Don Valento Business Card, c1940 - 1950

 Item — Box Ruth Manning-Sanders Box 2: Series 178F45; Series 178G66; Series 178Z72
Reference code: 178Z72.1
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: c1940 - 1950

Elephant, Clown and Seven Circus Workers, c1936 - 1950

 Item — Box Ruth Manning-Sanders Box 1: Series 178C141
Reference code: 178C141.93
Scope and Contents

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).

Dates: c1936 - 1950

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 119
Collection 1
 
Subject
Acrobats 4
Aerialists 9
Animal trainers 33
Animals 58
Caravans 12