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 33 Collections and/or Records:
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.
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.
Fossett’s Circus Photographs, c1930 - 1940
Freddie Pickford, Lizzie the Elephant and Pony, c1935 - 1938
Black and white photograph of the animal trainer, Freddie Pickford with his elephant, Lizzie and her 'Pet Pony'. This photograph is thought to have been taken whilst Freddie Pickford and Lizzie the Elephant were working for Fossett's Circus.
Freddie Pickford, Lizzie the Elephant and Pony, c1935 - 1938
Black and white photograph of the animal trainer, Freddie Pickford with his elephant, Lizzie and her 'Pet Pony'. This photograph is thought to have been taken whilst Freddie Pickford and Lizzie the Elephant were working for Fossett's Circus. Includes an inscription on the reverse that reads as follows: The elephant Lizzie with her pet pony and Freddie Pickford, her keeper. Chap 15'.
Freddie Pickford, Lizzie the Elephant and Pony, c1935 - 1938
Black and white photograph of the animal trainer, Freddie Pickford with his elephant, Lizzie and her 'Pet Pony'. This photograph is thought to have been taken whilst Freddie Pickford and Lizzie the Elephant were working for Fossett's Circus.
Hagenback Circus Animal Trainer and Two Elephants On Stage, c1930 - 1955
Black and white photograph of an animal trainer and two elephants performing tricks on stage at Hagenback Circus. Stamped on the reverse as the copyright of Captain A. E. Middleton.
Ivor Rosaire and Two Elephants 'Salt' and 'Saucy', 1937
Black and white postcard of Ivor Rosaire with two elephants, known as 'Salt' and 'Saucy'. Inscription on the reverse reads as follows: 'Ivor Rosaire with John Swallow's elephants: Salt and Saucy'.
Ivor Rosaire and Two Elephants 'Salt' and 'Saucy', 1937
Black and white postcard of Ivor Rosaire with two elephants, known as 'Salt' and 'Saucy'. Includes the following text underneath the image: 'Ivor Presents Rosaire's Elephants'. On the reverse there is a message sent to Joan Manning-Sanders from her mother, Ruth Manning-Sanders. The first line reads: 'Just said goodbye to the Rosaires'.
Ivor Rosaire with his Head in the Mouth of an Elephant, c1936 - 1950
Black and white postcard of Ivor Rosaire, shown with his head in an elephants mouth and the elephant is lifting him off the ground.
Joan Manning-Sanders, Freddie Pickford and Lizzie the Elephant, c1935 - 1938
Photographic negative of Joan Manning-Sanders, shown with the animal trainer, Freddie Pickford and his elephant, Lizzie. This photograph is thought to have been taken whilst Freddie Pickford was working for Fossett's Circus.
Joan Manning-Sanders, Freddie Pickford and Lizzie the Elephant, c1935 - 1938
Photographic negative of Joan Manning-Sanders with animal trainer, Freddie Pickford and his elephant, Lizzie. This photograph is thought to have been taken whilst Freddie Pickford was working for Fossett's Circus.
Joan Manning-Sanders, Freddie Pickford and Lizzie the Elephant, c1935 - 1938
Black and white photograph of Joan Manning-Sanders, shown riding Lizzie the Elephant at Fossett's Circus.
Miscellaneous Circus Photographs, c1930 - 1955
Black and white photographs of various circus shows and performers, together with photographic reproductions of illustrations and drawings of circus performers, as well as advertisements for travelling circuses, thought to be compiled by Ruth Manning Sanders, whilst writing her book on the origins and history of the circus titled, 'The English Circus'.
Photographs, c1930 - 1955
Includes photographs of photographs of circus performers, compiled by Ruth Manning-Sanders.
Robert Fossett Junior, Horse and Living Caravan, c1935 - 1938
Black and white postcard of Robert Fossett Junior, shown in costume with a horse standing (foreground) and living caravan (background). Inscription in green ink on the reserve reads as follows: 'Robert Fossett (Junior) Champion English Circus Jockey'.
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