Landon, Letitia Elizabeth (pseudonym “L. E. L.”) (F)
Surname: Landon Forename(s): Letitia Elizabeth b. 14 August 1802. d. 15 October 1838. Nationality: English. VIAF.
Poet, novelist, and editor. Prolific writer and major influence on Victorian women’s
poetry. Pseudonyms: “L. E. L.,” “L.”. Alternative signature: “Miss Landon.” Her first
poem, “Rome,” was published in the *Literary Gazette* under the pseudonym “L.” Closely
involved in literary annuals as editor and contributor (especially *Heath’s Book of
Beauty*, *Fisher’s Drawing Room Scrap Book*), and provided metrical translations for
the poetry in Isabel Hill’s English translation of Germaine de Staël’s best-selling
*Corinne; or, Italy* (1833). Briefly engaged in 1834 to John Forster, editor of *The
Examiner. Married George Maclean (governor of the Gold Coast of Africa [Ghana]) on
7 June 1838, but died two months’ later after ingesting prussic acid in suspicious
circumstances. Biographic information: *ODNB*. (SP, AC)