Cecilia Caddell

Cecilia Mary Caddell (1814 – 1877)[1] was an Irish author. Born in Harbourstown to Richard (1780-1856) and Paulina O'Ferral Caddell (†1856).[2] Her mother is the daughter of Thomas Arthur, the second Viscount Southwell of Limerick.[2] Her brother, Robert Cadell, was the High Sheriff of Meath.[3]

Her works were concentrated[4] in Catholic literature.[3] She was a contributor to Catholic periodicals such as The Lamp and The Irish Monthly Magazine.[2] The Catholic Union and Times wrote that her works served to "elevate the tone of the reading Catholic public".[5] Her most popular work is Blind Agnes, or, Little spouse of the blessed sacrament (1856), which was translated into Italian, French, and republished multiple times.[2] Cadell also wrote historical fiction, such as her three-volume novel Wild Times, a tale of the days of Queen Elizabeth (1865) and Nellie Netterville, or, One of the transplanted (1867).[2] She also published religious biographies[2] and religious hymns.[6]

She is commonly described as a "lifelong invalid" and suffered from a lifelong chronic illness.[2][7] Despite this, Cadell likely travelled abroad, having described visits to Lourdes and Aix in her work.[2]

Cadell never married.[2] She died in Harbourstown, County Meath, on September 11, 1877 and her funeral was attended by Edward Preston, 13th Viscount Gormanston and Royal Navy Admiral, Arthur Jerningham.[8]