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:
Ruth Manning-Sanders and Lizzie the Elephant, c1935 - 1938
Black and white photograph of Ruth Manning-Sanders, with Lizzie the Elephant. This photograph is thought to have been taken whilst Freddie Pickford and his elephant, Lizzie were working for Fossett's Circus.
Ruth Manning-Sanders Collection
Ruth Manning-Sanders Family Photographs, c1930 - 1950
Photographic negatives of Ruth Manning-Sanders, shown on a family holiday with her husband, George, and their children, Joan and David.
Ruth Manning-Sanders, Freddie Pickford and Lizzie the Elephant, c1935 - 1938
Black and white photograph of Ruth Manning-Sanders, with the animal trainer, Freddie Pickford with his elephant, Lizzie. This photograph is thought to have been taken whilst Freddie Pickford was working for Fossett's Circus.
Ruth Manning-Sanders, Freddie Pickford and Lizzie the Elephant, c1935 - 1938
Black and white photograph of Ruth Manning-Sanders, with the animal trainer, Freddie Pickford with his elephant, Lizzie. This photograph is thought to have been taken whilst Freddie Pickford was working for Fossett's Circus.
Ruth Manning-Sanders, Joan Manning-Sanders, Freddie Pickford and Lizzie the Elephant, c1935 - 1938
Photographic negative of Ruth Manning-Sanders and Joan Manning-Sanders, with the animal trainer, Freddie Pickford with his elephant, Lizzie. This photograph is thought to have been taken whilst Freddie Pickford was working for Fossett's Circus.
Ruth Manning-Sanders, Joan Manning-Sanders, Freddie Pickford and Lizzie the Elephant, c1935 - 1938
Black and white photograph of Ruth Manning-Sanders and Joan Manning-Sanders, with the animal trainer, Freddie Pickford with his elephant, Lizzie. This photograph is thought to have been taken whilst Freddie Pickford was working for Fossett's Circus.
Ruth Manning-Sanders, Joan Manning-Sanders, Freddie Pickford and Lizzie the Elephant, c1935 - 1938
Black and white photograph of an unidentified woman, possibly Joan Manning-Sanders, shown asleep on the grass in front of a living caravan in the camp at Fossett's Circus. Includes inscription on the reverse that reads as follows: 'Tom Fossett's Circus Elephant Lizzie, Freddie Pickford, Keeper, Ruth and Joan c1935'.
The Cheeky Dwarf, c1930 - 1955
Black and white postcard advertising ‘The Cheeky Dwarf’.
The Death of Lucas at the Paris Hippodrome, c1930 - 1955
Black and white photograph reproduction of an illustration titled, ‘The Death of Lucas at the Paris Hippodrome’ in 1869.
The Famous Trevor Bros & Co., c1930 - 1955
Black and white photograph reproduction of a poster advertising 'The Famous Trevor Bros & Co. A New Novelty Balancing Act Full of Thrills'.
Togare and Two Tigers, c1930 - 1955
Black and white photograph of an animal trainer known as ‘Togare’, shown in costume with two tigers. Stamped on the reverse as the copyright of Captain A. E. Middleton.
Trick Horse Riding Act On Stage, c1930 - 1955
Black and white photograph of five horses, with three male and four female equestrian performers shown trick riding on stage, at an unidentified circus. Stamped on the reverse as the copyright of Captain A. E. Middleton.
Two Performing Geese, c1930 - 1955
Black and white photograph of two performing geese onstage at an unidentified circus.
Two Unidentified Aerial Performers On Stage, c1930 - 1955
Black and white photograph of two male aerial performers on stage. Stamped on the reverse as the copyright of Captain A. E. Middleton.
Two Unidentified Men and Two Elephants, c1930 - 1955
Black and white photographs of two elephants, shown with two men, in a lake, possibly in India.
Unidentified Circus Worker with Three Horses, c1935 - 1938
Black and white photograph of an unidentified man with three horses (foreground) and circus tents (background) at Fossett's Circus.
Unidentified Circus Worker with Three Horses, c1935 - 1938
Black and white photograph of a man and three horses drinking from a puddle at Fossett's Circus.
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.
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