Margaret Oliphant - Old Lady Mary: A Story of the Seen and the Unseen: "Good works may only be beautiful sins, if they are not done in a true spirit"

The life of Margaret Oliphant Wilson was marked by both literary achievement and personal tragedy. She began her writing career in 1849 and became a prolific author, contributing significantly to her family's income after the death of her husband from tuberculosis. Despite her success, she faced immense sorrow with the loss of three children and her only daughter, leading to a decline in her health and spirit. After more than thirty years of literary work, she passed away in 1897, leaving behind a legacy of resilience amid profound loss.