About
English diarist known for being "the first modern lesbian". She was involved in the first known British lesbian wedding, marrying Ann Walker in 1834 at the Holy Trinity Church in York. She died after being stung by an insect while traveling through Russia.
Before Fame
She inherited land and property from her parents, which is what allowed her to become a successful businesswoman. She began keeping diaries at age 15 and documented her romantic experiences with women in them.
Trivia
Her nickname was 'Gentleman Jack'. Her diaries reveal much about contemporary life in Western Yorkshire, as well as her interests in mining, canals and railways. Much of her writing was done in code that was not decrypted until much later, after her death.
Family Life
Her father Jeremy Lister was a soldier. Her mother Rebecca gave birth to her and six other children.
Associated With
The area she grew up in is known to be the inspiration for the setting of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
