Mary Howitt (1799-1888) was one of the most prolific female writers and translators of her day, producing over a hundred titles in her lifetime. Held in high regard by her contemporaries, Howitt was best known for her Scandinavian interests, particularly for her translations of Frederika Bremer and Hans Christian Andersen. She also published numerous collections of poetry and stories, sometimes in partnership with her husband, the writer William Howitt. This two-volume autobiography was published posthumously in 1889, and was completed and edited by her daughter Margaret. Volume 2 focuses on the second half of Howitt's life, much of which was spent moving between England, Switzerland, Italy and Austria. It describes the death of two of her sons, her own and William's involvement with spiritualism, the death of her husband, and her eventual conversion to Catholicism.