Dinah Maria Mulock Craik, an English authoress, more generally known by her maiden name of Mulock, born in Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, in 1826. She is the daughter of a clergyman of the established church, and published in 1849 her first novel, "The Ogilvies," a work containing subtle delineations of character and life-like scenes, and which was well received by the public. It was followed in 1850 by "Olive," which proved no less popular, and in 1851 by "The Head of the Family," a story of Scottish life in the middle classes, and a fairy tale entitled "Alice Learmont." In 1852 appeared "Agatha's Husband," "Avil-lion and other Tales," and a number of stories and books for young people. In 1857 was published "John Halifax, Gentleman," which greatly enhanced her reputation as an earnest writer and a keen portrayer of character. An edition of her fugitive poems appeared in 1860. Since then she has written many works, among which are: "A Life for a Life," "Christian's Mistake," "Two Marriages," and "A Noble Life" (1866); "The Unkind Word, and other Stories" (1869); "Fair France: Impressions of a Traveller" (1870); "Little Sunshine's Holiday: a Picture from Life," and "Hannah" (1871). Besides these she has published collections of fugitive papers, entitled "Romantic Tales," "Domestic Tales," "Nothing New," "Studies from Life," "A Woman's Thoughts about Women," and a number of books for youth, including "Cola Monti, or the Story of a Genuis," " A Hero," "Little Lychetts," "Our Year," " Bread upon the Waters," etc.

In 1864 a literary pension of £60 a year was awarded to Miss Mulock; and in 1865 she was married to Mr. George Lillie Craik, the younger. Her books have been regularly reprinted in the United States, where they are widely read and appreciated.