Cheeses Illustration (1861)

Isabella Beeton (1836-1865), often referred to as Mrs. Beeton, was an English journalist, editor, and writer known for her influential book, "Beeton's Book of Household Management," published in 1861 when she was just 25. Born Isabella Mayson in London, she married Samuel Orchart Beeton, a publisher and magazine editor, in 1857. Her book, which became a household name, was a comprehensive guide to running a Victorian household, with advice on everything from cooking and cleaning to child care. Despite her early death at the age of 28, Beeton's work has had a lasting impact, and she is often seen as a Victorian forerunner of the entrepreneurial, successful, young woman about town. Her life and work have been the subject of numerous books, radio plays, and even a BBC television film.