New-York tribune., 1906-08-14
MRS. CRAIGIE DEAD.
NoUelist and Play5oright Erpires
Suddenly in London.

London. Aug 13-Mrs. Pearl Mary Teresa
Craigie John oliver Hobbes). the novelist and
dramatist. died in her sleep this morning from
heart disease. Her death was unexpected she
having been apparently perfectly we'll when she
retired last night. Mrs. Craigie had been spend
ing a fortnight at her home. Steephil Castle
Ventnore, Isle of Wight. She left there on Sun
day afternoon to keep an engagement in Lon
don.
Mrs Craigie had just spent fortnight with
her parents at VentnOr and was in excellent
spirits and busily planning future work. Reach
ing London on Sunday evening. she complained
Of feeling tired and went early to bed, leaving
orders not to be be disturbed until she rang in
the morning. At o'clock this mornino the SER
wants became anxious and went to ser room,
where they found her dead. The doctor who was
summoned was unable to give a certificate of
burial. though the indications pointed to heart
disease. Mrs. Craigie had had no occasion TO
consult doctor for some time previously. and
hence it will he necessary to hold an inquest.
Mrs. Craigie's parents. who have been sum-
moned to London, are heartbroken over the
news Her father. in interview. said:
Ny daughter was perfectly well when she left
VentnOr. and looking forward to visit to
Scotland on Wednesday with her SON. We had
not the slightest anxiety on her account and she
had made not "a single complaint.
1t gathered from her fathers remarks
that, though Mrs Craige had enjoyed better
health in the last year or two she had felt the
strain of heavy work and literary engagements.
and had suffered on more than one occasion
from heart attacks.
London Aug I4-The news of the death OF
Mrs, Craigie reached only two or three of the
London morning newspapers These journals
express deep regret at the untimely loss of a
popular writer and charming personality. THE
London Tribune editorially says:
There are greater names among fiction writ
ers. yet few. whose death would strike us as a
loss so painful and irreparabe. She had at least
her style and outlook on life were still unfxed
and the development of her genius seemed TO
show much greater possibilities.
John Oliver Hobbies was the pen name oF Mrs
Craigle who ranked high among the popular writ
ers OF the day. She born November 3. 1867
the eldest daughter of John Morgan Richards
who was the son of the late Rev. DR. James Rich
ards and Laura Hortense Arnold of this city Dr.
Richardss wife was the granddaughter of the Hon
Peter Spearwater. who represented ShelbOurne in
the Colonial Parliament of Great Britain at Hall
fax for twenty-five years.
When Mrs. oraigie nineteen she mar
ried Reginald WalpoIe Craige, grandson of
Colonel Craigie, of the Bengal Military Board.
She was educated privately in Boston, London and
Paris. Mrs. Craigie showed a literary tendency
early in life. though her works dld not a1HacI at
tention until 1881. In 1892 after much study and
consideration Mrs Craigie became Roman Cath
o!.c.
Three sears later Mrs. Craigie was divorced from
her husband and got the custody OF their only
child, John Churchill Craigie. now nineteen years
old Her father John Morgan Richards, is pros
porous merchant, whose business took him 10 Lon
don years ago. Although n business man, he
formed many literary acQuaintances' and his
daughter grew up in atmosphere Of culture
Only recently he wrote a book OF "reminiscences
which attracted much attention
Mrs. Craigie turned to the drama in recent years
and wrote several successful plays. She was part
author of The Bishops Move" which had sue
cessful run in London and New York and "Ghe
Flute OF Pan" She Clso wrote The AmDassa-
DOR and '"The Wisdom of the Wise" Among her
other writings were Some Emotions and Moral
THE Sinners Comedy" and School for Saints.
She lived abroad after her marriage but VS.
itep this country from time to time and was always
interested in affairs pertaining 20 her native coun-
try. After her visit in November. 1900, sne iec!-
ured throughout Great Britain on America
Worship of Wealth.