The work of Anne Home Hunter (1742-1821)
Anne Home Hunter was a poet and lyricist who lived from 1742 to 1821. She was best known for her Scottish ballads and lyrical collaborations with the noted composer Franz Joseph Haydn.
While Hunter was able to publish two volumes of her works during her lifetime, her poetry has attracted relatively little critical acclaim compared to that of her contemporaries. Her two published volumes of poetry are Poems, which was published in 1802, and The Sports of the Genii, which was published in 1804.
In spite of the publication of these two remarkable collections of Anne Hunter's work, many historians and literary academicians have instead focused their attention on Anne's marriage to the famous British surgeon and anatomist John Hunter, as well as her social relationship with the Bluestockings and her relationship with Haydn.
Because of this very little is known about the person behind these exceptionally eloquent and descriptive literary pieces. This is somewhat regrettable as Anne Hunter's work is rich with the innermost thoughts of writers, detailed explorations of both familial and romantic love, historical events, patriotism and social events of the time period. Her work has actually found a new significance in these present times for it provides valuable insights into the times before the Saxon and Norman occupation of Scotland.
It is important for us to realise that the normally accepted behavioural values for women then were very different from what they are today. Particularly from the 18th century to the early 19th century, British women were expected to conduct themselves according to the socially accepted norms of the day.
They were expected to be meek, subservient and modest in all aspects of thought, deed action and speech. As such, the very act of women writers wishing to be published went against many of these social values, which were in place. As a result Anne Hunter released many of her lyrics anonymously or to only a few select friends. Among these early works that were viewed by a limited audience were the poem Adieu! ye streams that smoothly glide, The Lamentation of Mary Queen of Scots, and the canzonettas which she sent to Haydn.
Anne Hunter was a woman of the times however and she conducted herself in accordance with the expected norms of society in those days. Those who had the privilege of knowing her were unanimous in their high regard of her, describing her as "modest and delicate". These personal characteristics were readily apparent in many of Anne Hunter's work, which was characteristically sweet, full of emotion and yet quite proper as was befitting the times.
The Monthly Review in particular was favourable in their assessment of Hunter's work praising its "beautiful simplicity of feeling and expression", although on the other hand the same publication slightly criticised Hunter for her "lack of boldness and originality of sentiment" as well as her "sublimity of diction".
While Anne Hunter achieved some degree of success as a poet it is as a writer of lyrics that she made her mark and her collaborations with Haydn in particular have stood the test of time.
Original Authors: Doods Pangburn
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 16/05/2008
