Lady (Mary Anne) Barker

Lady (Mary Anne) Barker
Lady Mary Anne Barker (1831–1911) was a British author known for her writings on colonial life in New Zealand and South Africa. Her most famous work, "Station Life in New Zealand" (1870), provides vivid accounts of her experiences managing a sheep station in the Canterbury region. Barker's writings combined humor, practical advice, and vivid descriptions, making her a popular voice for British readers curious about colonial life. Later, she also wrote "A Year's Housekeeping in South Africa" (1877), which detailed her time spent in the Cape Colony.

Author's Books:


Letter I: Two months at sea—Melbourne. Port Phillip Hotel, Melbourne. September 22d, 1865. .... Now I must give you an account of our voyage: it has been a very quick one for the immense distance traversed, sometimes under canvas, but generally steaming. We saw no land between the Lizard and Cape Otway light—that is, for fifty-seven days: and oh, the monotony of that time!—the monotony of it! Our... more...

Chapter I: A Bush picnic. Since my return to England, two years ago, I have been frequently asked by my friends and acquaintances, "How did you amuse yourself up at the station?" I am generally tempted to reply, "We were all too busy to need amusement;" but when I come to think the matter over calmly and dispassionately, I find that a great many of our occupations may be classed under... more...