Rosa Campbell Praed1884

by attributed to Emily Praed

This portrait of prolific Australian-born novelist Rosa Campbell Praed (nee Murray-Prior) is attributed to Emily Praed, presumably a family member. Rosa grew up on pastoral properties in southern Queensland in the 1850s without a formal education. In 1876, following the failure of her husband’s cattle station on isolated Curtis Island (near Gladstone), she moved to England. After separating from her husband in 1897, Rosa lived with psychic medium Nancy Hayward.

Many of Praed’s 45 books drew on her early life experiences. A devoted spiritualist, she wove into her novels many of her experiences during seances.

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Collection Item Type: 
  • Oil on canvas
Call Number: 
ML 1039
Published date: 
1884
On display: 
Exhibition Galleries
Out of copyright Please acknowledge: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
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