Hesba Stretton - Alone In London: "It had been a close and sultry day-one of the hottest of the dog-days"

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The author, known as Hesba Stretton, was a prominent 19th-century Evangelical writer who addressed social issues through children's literature. Her breakout work, "Jessica's First Prayer," sold over 1.5 million copies, significantly impacting Victorian perceptions of homeless children. Stretton contributed to popular periodicals and was a co-founder of the London Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Her authentic portrayal of slum life stemmed from her experiences working with impoverished children in Manchester, enriching her narratives with depth and realism.