Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

Dinah Maria Craik (born Dinah Maria Mulock, and often known as Miss Mulock or Mrs. Craik) (1826 to 1887) was an English writer and poet best remembered for her novel John Halifax, Gentleman, which sets out the ideals of an English middle-class life. She was born at Stoke-on-Trent, and grew up in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, where her father was minister of a an independent nonconformist congregation. Her youthful years were much affected by his poor financial situation, but despite this she received a good education and was drawn to become a writer.