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 13 Collections and/or Records:
Equestrian Performer at Astley's Amphitheatre, c1930 - 1955
Black and white photograph reproduction of an illustration of young equestrian at Astley’s Amphitheatre in 1848.
Fossett’s Circus Photographs, c1930 - 1940
Frank Foster Business Card, c1930 - 1950
Business card for Frank Foster, Equestrian Director at Bertram Mills Circus. White card, black text and illustrated with a black and white photograph of Frank Foster, shown in costume. 1 p.
Little Tommy Baker, c1930 - 1955
Black and white photograph of the equestrian, Tommy Baker, shown as a boy sitting on a circus tent peg holding a soft toy dog with his father(?). Inscription on the reverse reads as follows: 'Little Tommy Baker when riding in his father's tiny circus he was discovered by Bertram Mills and became a star turn at Olympia'.
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'.
Rosaire’s Circus Photographs, c1936 - 1950
Ruth Manning-Sanders Collection
Unidentified Female Equestrian Sitting Bareback on a Horse, c1935 - 1938
Black and white photograph of a unidentified female equestrian shown in costume sitting bareback on a horse in a field at Fossett's Circus.
Unidentified Female Equestrian Sitting Bareback on a Horse, c1935 - 1938
Black and white photograph of a unidentified female equestrian shown in costume sitting bareback on a horse in a field at Fossett's Circus.
Various Material, c1940 - 1950
Includes miscellaneous printed material, compiled by Ruth Manning-Sanders.
Vivian Rosaire, Ida Rosaire and a Horse, c1936 - 1950
Black and white postcard of Vivian Rosaire (also known as 'La Petit Vivienne') and Ida Rosaire. One of the women is shown in costume sitting bareback on a horse (thought to be Vivian Rosaire).
Filtered By
- Subject: Equestrians X
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- Type
- Archival Object 12
- Collection 1
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- Acrobats 3
- Aerialists 5
- Animal trainers 7
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- Caravans 5
- Caricatures and cartoons 3
- Clowning 4
- Dwarfs (Persons) 4
- Exhibitions 2
- Fairground art 3
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- Gymnasts 3
- Performers 12
- Stunt performers 8
- Tightrope walking 5 + ∧ less