Stuart, Elma (1837-1903)

Elma Stuart began her relationship with George Eliot in 1872 by sending her favorite author the first of many loving letters and hand-made gifts, including a carved oak book slide, a shawl, embroidered handkerchiefs, and other personal items. A very devoted admirer, Stuart showered praise and gifts on Eliot, and Eliot reciprocated Elma’s affection in her letters. Over the next eight years, Stuart fulfilled a role of “spiritual daughter,” a term proposed by Eliot herself (GEL6: 27). Stuart is buried beside Eliot in Highgate Cemetery, where her tombstone reads, “whom for 8 ½ blessed years George Eliot called by the sweet name of ‘Daughter.’”

George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett, https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org

To:
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 1 February 1872
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 1 February 1872
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 12 February 1873
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 19 February 1873
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Blackbrook, 17 September 1873
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Blackbrook, 4 October 1873
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 26 November 1873
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 27 November 1873
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 8 March 1874
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 29 March 1874
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Earlswood Common, 25 August 1874
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Earlswood Common, 22 September 1874
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 26 October 1874
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 26 October 1874
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, [1 November 1874]
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 10 January 1875
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 27 January 1875
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, [2? February 1875]
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 4 March 1875
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 24 March 1875
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Rickmansworth, 2 September 1875
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 19 November 1875
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 20 December 1875
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 3 March 1876
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 29 April 1876
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 10 May 1876
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, [4 June 1876]
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, [5 June 1876]
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, [10 June 1876]
GE and GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 12 September 1876
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 4 October 1876
GHL to Elma Stuart, London, 12 October 1876
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 19 November 1876
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 23 December 1876
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 1 January 1877
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 23 January 1877
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 5 February 1877
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 23 March 1877
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 28 April 1877
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 27 May 1877
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 12 July 1877
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, [Witley], 4 August 1877
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 11 August 1877
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 14 September [1877]
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 24 December 1877
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 12 January 1878
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 25 January 1878
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 27 March 1878
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 3 May 1878
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 27 June 1878
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 10 July 1878
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 8 August 1878
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 5 November 1878
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 15 November 1878
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 30 January 1879
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 4 April 1879
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, [14 April 1879]
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 18 June 1879
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 11 September 1879
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 14 October 1879
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 24 December 1879
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 7 February 1880
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 28 March 1880
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 23 April 1880
John Walter Cross to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Paris, 11 May 1880
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Lyons, 18 May 1880
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Innsbruck, 27 June 1880
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Wildbad, 11 July 1880
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 18 August 1880
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 14-15 September 1880
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 13 October 1880
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 15 November 1880
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 11 December 1880
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 18 December 1880
John Walter Cross to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 23 December 1880
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 30 January [1877]

From:
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Elma Stuart (1837-1903), Stuart, Elma (1837-1903), Social Network Gallery, George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett, https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed November 11, 2026. https://www.georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/97123