Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Le Breton, Anna Letitia

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1423164Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 32 — Le Breton, Anna Letitia1892Albert Nicholson

LE BRETON, ANNA LETITIA (1808–1885), author, daughter of Charles Rochemont Aikin [q. v.], by his wife Anne, daughter of the Rev. Gilbert Wakefield, was born on 30 June 1808 in Broad Street, London, where her father was practising as a surgeon. She was educated at home, and saw much of her great-aunt, Mrs. Barbauld, and other members of the Aikin family. She married in 1833 Philip Hemery Le Breton, afterwards of the Inner Temple, and resided at Hampstead. Mrs. Le Breton assisted her husband in his 'Memoirs, Miscellanies, and Letters' of her aunt, Lucy Aikin [q. v.], which was published in 1864. In 1874 she herself edited Miss Aikin's correspondence with Dr. Channing, and published a 'Memoir of Mrs. Barbauld, including Letters and Notices of her Family and Friends.' In 1883 appeared Mrs. Le Breton's last book, 'Memories of Seventy Years, by one of a Literary Family.' which was edited by her daughter, Mrs. Herbert Martin. She died at Hampstead 29 Sept. 1885, and was buried in the cemetery there. Of her eight children that reached maturity six survived her. Her husband died in 1884.

[Works named above, and information from Mrs. Herbert Martin.]

A. N.