Camilla Dufour Crosland, name before marriage Camilla Dufour Toulmin, also known as Mistress Newton Crosland was an English writer of fiction, poetry, essays and sketches.
Background
She was born on 9 June 1812 at Aldermanbury, London, where her father, William Toulmin, practised as a solicitor. Her grandfather, Doctor William Toulmin, was a physician of repute. She had two half-brothers by her father"s first marriage and a younger brother by his second.
Her father, who had money troubles, died when Camilla was eight, and his widow and daughter were not provided foreign
Career
She was a precocious girl, who could read at the age of three and loved reading, although she lacked a systematic education. Camilla Toulmin first appeared in print in 1838, with verse contributions to the Book of Beauty. She was also involved in editorial work, for the annuals The Keepsake, on behalf of Marguerite Power, and Friendship"s Offering, as deputy to Leitch Ritchie.
Crosland was acquainted with numerous literary women.
They included Mary Cowden Clarke, Mary Howitt, Mary Russell Mitford, Geraldine Jewsbury, Catherine Crowe, Lady Blessington and Frances Browne. After living for nearly 38 years in Blackheath, Camilla Crosland moved in 1886 to 29 Ondine Road, East Dulwich, where she died on 16 February 1895.
A memorial window has been placed to her memory in Street Alban"s Cathedral.