Background
Dugdale was born in Edmonton, London, the daughter of school headmaster Edward Dugdale.
Dugdale was born in Edmonton, London, the daughter of school headmaster Edward Dugdale.
Florence attended National Infants School in Enfield for two years until 1886, when she went to Street Andrew"s Girls School.
From 1895 onwards Florence"s life would be centred on her teaching. In 1897 she became a fully qualified teacher at Street Andrew"s (her father"s school). Florence first met Thomas Hardy in 1905 aged 26.
She became his passionate friend and helper, and eventually stopped teaching in 1908 - both to assist Hardy and begin her writing career.
In 1912 she published her first book - The Book of Baby Birds - with Hardy"s contribution. In the same year, Hardy"s wife Emma died, and she moved into Max Gate in 1913.
During the marriage Florence found herself increasingly in the shadow of Emma (whom, ironically, Thomas had neglected whilst she was alive). Thomas" frantic and subdued love poetry - obviously written with Emma in mind - was a cause of embarrassment and misery for Florence.
Nevertheless, in 1928, when Hardy finally died aged 87, she was so stricken with grief that a doctor was required.
The Hardys befriended T.E. Lawrence, and Florence attended his funeral. Florence Hardy died at Max Gate, Dorset, the home she had shared with Thomas, of cancer, aged 58. She was cremated in Woking, and her ashes were buried at Stinsford Church.