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:
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.
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.
First International Exhibition of Circusiana Catalogue, December 1949
Catalogue listing posters, objects and other memorabilia on display at the First International Exhibition of Circusiana presented by Simpson (Piccadilly) Ltd. Green soft cover, with red and black text. 16pp.
Flora and Zephyr on the Double Ropes, c1930 - 1955
Black and white photograph reproduction of an illustration titled, ‘Mr Ducrow and Miss Woolford as Flora and Zephyr on the Double Ropes’.
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.
Fred Rosaire and Florence Rosaire On Holiday, c1936 - 1938
Black and white postcard of Fred Rosaire (also known as 'The Count' or 'Count Rosaire') and his wife, Florence Rosaire (known as 'The Countess' or 'Countess Rosaire'), shown on a day out or on holiday, with three unidentified women, one of these women is thought to be Ruth Manning-Sanders.
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).
Fred Rosaire On Holiday, c1936 - 1938
Black and white postcard of Fred Rosaire (knonw as 'The Count' or 'Count Rosaire'), shown walking down a street possibly on a day out or on holiday.
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.
Group of Circus Performers and Elephants, c1936 - 1942
Black and white photograph of a large group of circus performers and workers, with four elephants. The group is thought to include the following members of the Rosaire family: Aubrey Rosaire (dressed as a clown), Ivor Rosaire, Dennis Rosaire, Zena Rosaire (also known as Zenita Rosaire) and Cissy Rosaire (also known as Cecilia Rosaire).
Group of Five Female Circus Performers, c1936 - 1950
Black and white postcard of five women in costume with feathers in their hair. The women shown are the same women thought to perform as 'The Kilty Lassies' with Rosaire's Circus.
Group of Five Female Circus Performers, c1936 - 1950
Black and white postcard of five women in costume with feathers in their hair. The women shown are the same women thought to perform as 'The Kilty Lassies' with Rosaire's Circus.
Group of Women with Bag Pipes and Drums, c1936 - 1950
Black and white postcard of a group of five women dressed in tartan, with bag pipes and drums, possibly 'The Kilty Lassies', thought to be shown during their time performing with Rosaire'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.
High Wire Performers on Bicycles, c1930 - 1955
Black and white photograph of four high wire performers shown on bicycles on stage at an unidentified circus. Stamped on the reverse as the copyright of Captain A. E. Middleton.
Ivor Rosaire and Derrick Rosaire, c1936 - 1950
Black and white photograph of two shirtless men standing in front of a circus tent, thought to be Ivor Rosaire and Derrick Rosaire (possibly before or after a gymnastic performance on rings).
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'.
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