Emily Ponsonby

Lady Emily Charlotte Mary Ponsonby (1817–1877) was a novelist during the Victorian era. She was born in London in 1817, the eldest daughter of John Ponsonby, the 4th Earl of Bessborough. Her father served briefly as Home Secretary in 1834. Her aunt was Lady Caroline Lamb, a notable figure of the period whose estranged husband later became Prime Minister.

John Ponsonby's handwriting was known for being particularly poor, a condition that predated a riding accident which reportedly worsened his handwriting issues. Emily Ponsonby served as her father's secretary, a role that involved assisting him with his correspondence.

She published a number of novels, primarily set in the upper classes, which were issued anonymously. Her literary works include titles such as "The Discipline of Life" (1848), "Pride and Irresolution," which served as a sequel, "Mary Gray, and other Tales and Verses" (1852), "Edward Willoughby" (1854), "The Young Lord" (1856), and "Sunday Readings, Consisting of Eight Short Sermons Addressed to the Young" (1857). Additional works include "A Mother's Trial" (1859), "Katherine and her Sisters" (1861), "Sir Owen Fairfax" (1866), "A Story of Two Cousins" (1868), and "Olivia Beaumont and Lord Latimer."

Lady Emily Charlotte Mary Ponsonby died on 3 February 1877 at her residence in London.