Margaret Oliphant died - On this day in history

Scottish historical writer and novelist Margaret Oliphant died on 25 June 1897. Oliphant was a prolific writer who used her work to comment upon the faults and injustices of Victorian society. Her own life was marked with sadness - her husband was in poor health throughout their marriage and died young, leaving her to bring up their three children alone (three others had died in infancy).

All of Oliphant's children died before her, leaving her in poor health. She died at the age of 69. Among her best known works are The Laird of Norlaw and The Beleaguered City.