Florence Dixie

Lady Florence Caroline Dixie (née Douglas; 24 May 18557 November 1905) was a Scottish writer, war correspondent, and feminist. Her account of travelling Across Patagonia, her children's books The Young Castaways and Aniwee; or, The Warrior Queen, and her feminist utopia Gloriana; or, The Revolution of 1900 all deal with feminist themes related to girls, women, and their positions in society. Early life Born in Cummertrees, Dumfries, Scotland on 24 May 1855, Lady Florence Douglas was the daughter of Caroline Margaret Clayton (1821–1904), daughter of General Sir William Clayton, 5th Baronet (1786–1866), Member of Parliament for Great Marlow, and Archibald Douglas (1818–1858) 8th Marquess of Queensberry. She had a twin brother, Lord James Edward Sholto Douglas (died 1891), an older sister, Lady Gertrude Douglas (1842–1893), and three older brothers: John, Viscount Drumlanrig (1844–1900), later 9th Marquess of Queensberry, Lord Francis Douglas (1847–1865), and the Reverend Lord Archibald Edward Douglas (1850–1938). Lady Florence has been described as a tomboy who tried to match her brothers in physical activities, whether swimming, riding, or hunting. She rode astride, wore her hair short in a boyish crop, and refused to conform to fashion when being presented to Queen Victoria. She and her twin brother James were particularly close during childhood, calling each other "Darling" (Florence) and "Dearest" (James). She was also close to her older brother John, whom she resembled in temperament, both being "fearless, dynamic and opinionated".