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 12 Collections and/or Records:
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.
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.
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).
Emmie Cooke, Speedy Yelding and Unidentified Clown, c1930 - 1955
Black and white photograph of Emmie Cooke, 'Speedy' Yelding and an unidentified man dressed as a clown, all shown sitting on a horse. Stamped on the reverse as the copyright of Captain A. E. Middleton.
Fred Rosaire and Florence Rosaire with Circus Performers, c1938 - 1945
Black and white photograph of Fred Rosaire (also known as 'The Count' or 'Count Rosaire') and his wife, Florence Rosaire (also known as 'The Countess' or 'Countess Rosaire'), with circus worker, Douglas Burrage, two clowns (one possibly 'Little Freddie'), and four unidentified children (possibly their grandchildren).
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.
Rosaire's Circus Performers On Stage, c1936 - 1950
Black and white photograph of a large group of circus performers on stage, possibly at Rosaire's Circus. Inscription on the reverse reads as follows: 'To Ruth and George. From Countess Flo'.
Rosaire’s Circus Photographs, c1936 - 1950
Ruth Manning-Sanders Collection
Unidentified Clown on a Wire On Stage, c1930 - 1955
Black and white photograph of a clown onstage performing on a wire, and a woman assisting, at an unidentified circus. Photograph numbered 24.
Unidentified Clown with a Monkey On Stage, c1930 - 1955
Black and white photograph of an unidentified clown, with a chimpanzee performing on a tight rope on stage at an unidentified circus. Photograph numbered 13.
Filtered By
- Subject: Clowning X
Additional filters:
- Type
- Archival Object 11
- Collection 1
- Subject
- Acrobats 3
- Aerialists 4
- Animal trainers 4
- Animals 6
- Caravans 4
- Caricatures and cartoons 3
- Dwarfs (Persons) 6
- Equestrians 4
- Exhibitions 1
- Fairground art 3
- Fairs 3
- Family 6
- Gymnasts 3
- Stunt performers 4
- Tightrope walking 4 + ∧ less