Who was Katherine Mansfield?

Highly regarded in the 20th century, although less known today, Katherine Mansfield (1888-1923) experimented with modernism and brought new genres to the short story format. She wrote about a variety of subjects, including relationships, sexuality, the middle class, war, and everyday life. Sadly, her untimely death at the age of 34 prevented Mansfield from rising to the celebrity ranks of other authors of the era.

Born into a wealthy family on 14th October 1888, Kathleen Mansfield Beauchamp (Katherine was a pseudonym) grew up in Wellington, New Zealand, with her four siblings. Mansfield’s happy childhood memories made their way into several short stories, which she began writing in the late 1890s. Her first written works appeared in Wellington Girls’ High School's magazine, which she attended until 13 years old.

In 1903, Mansfield travelled to London with her sisters to attend Queen’s College, an independent school for girls aged 11 to 18. After finishing her education, she briefly went back to New Zealand before returning to London. She also spent some time in Germany, which she wrote about in her 1911 book 'In A German Pension'. Some of her tales satirised the habits of German people and the state of their unhealthy sewage system.

In 1918, Manfield published 'Prelude', based on her childhood, particularly the family’s move to Karori, a country suburb of Wellington. Shortly after, she was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and passed away in 1923.