Working-class Manchester poet. Daughter of Irish immigrants. Worked in factories.
Father, stonemason Michael Forrester, died when she was eight. Mother was poet Ellen
Forrester (1828-1883), to whom Fanny was close. Published widely in periodicals, including
*Quiver*, *Ben Brierley’s Journal*, *Nation*, *Chambers’s Journal*. Address in the
*Chambers’s Journal* ledgers variously given as 27 Lancaster St, Cross Lane, Salford
(for poem published on 20 December 1879; NLS Dep 341/371), 34 Crown St, Clarendon
Rd, Salford (29 April 1882; NLS Dep 341/369), 20 Beech St, Clayton Lane, Openshaw,
Manchester (22 December 1883; NLS Dep 341/369), 15 Holroyd Place, Pendleton, Manchester
(2 May 1885; NLS Dep 341/369), 137 Grey Mare Lane, Bradford, near Manchester (12 December
1885; NLS Dep 341/369), 139 Grey Mare Lane, Bradford, near Manchester (21 January
1888; NLS Dep 341/370). Additional biographical information: Boos 237-41. (AC)