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:
Unidentified Female Circus Worker, c1935 - 1938
Black and white photograph of an unidentified woman standing next to a caravan in the camp 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.
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 Man and Elephant, c1936 - 1950
Black and white postcard of an unidentified animal trainer, shown with an elephant.
Unidentified Man and Two Unidentified Girls, c1935 - 1938
Black and white photograph of an unidentified man and two girls sitting on the steps of a living caravan at the camp at Fossett's Circus. The man shown the photograph is possibly, Robert Fossett, who founded Fossett's Circus in 1852.
Unidentified Man and Two Unidentified Girls, c1935 - 1938
Black and white photograph of an unidentified man and two girls sitting on the steps of a living caravan at the camp at Fossett's Circus. The man shown the photograph is possibly, Robert Fossett, who founded Fossett's Circus in 1852.
Unidentified Man with Five Dogs, c1936 - 1950
Black and white postcard of an unidentified man, thought to be the husband of Ida Rosaire, shown in costume with five dogs (poodles) outside the circus tent at Rosaire's Circus.
Unidentified Man with Five Dogs, c1936 - 1950
Black and white postcard of an unidentified man, thought to be the husband of Ida Rosaire, shown in costume with five dogs (poodles) outside the circus tent at Rosaire's Circus.
Unidentified Woman Sleeping Outside Living Caravan, 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.
Unidentified Woman Sleeping Outside Living Caravan, 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.
Unidentified Woman Sleeping Outside Living Caravan, 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.
Unidentified Woman Standing Outside Caravan, c1935 - 1938
Photographic negative of an unidentified older woman standing next to a car (foreground), and horse and living caravan (background) in the camp at Fossett's Circus.
Unidentified Woman Standing Outside Caravan, c1935 - 1938
Black and white photograph of an unidentified older woman, shown standing next to a car (foreground), and horse and living caravan (background) in the camp 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).
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 doing a trick on the back of a horse (thought to be Vivian Rosaire).
Vivian Rosaire, Ida Rosaire and Dennis Rosaire, c1936 - 1950
Black and white postcard of Vivian Rosaire (also known as 'La Petit Vivienne') and Ida Rosaire, dressed in costume (white sequined top and hot pants), with their brother, Dennis Rosaire (shirtless).
Vivian Rosaire, Ida Rosaire, Dennis Rosaire and Derrick Rosaire, c1936 - 1950
Black and white postcard of Vivian Rosaire, Ida Rosaire, Dennis Rosaire and Derrick Rosaire, dressed in Arabian style costume.
Wagons at Bartholomew's Fair, c1930 - 1955
Black and white photograph reproduction of a sketch of the wagons used by Bartholomew's Fair between 1820 and 1830.
Widdicombe Fair Cartoon, c1930 - 1955
Black and white reproduction of a cartoon depicting circus performers at Widdicombe Fair(?) taken from Punch Magazine in 1851.
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