Uttoxeter Online Magazine
The Spider and the Fly - Mary Howitt
A Poem by Mary Howitt
"Will you walk into my parlour" said the Spider to the Fly.
"Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy. .........
Married in Uttoxeter in 1821, to William Howitt, a druggist working in Hanley, Mary ( nee Botham ) is probably our best known 19th century local poet.
As William and Mary Howitt they were to gain worldwide fame as authors and poets. They were prolific writers and an important part of the literary scene at the time, helping and working with many famous names like Charles Dickens, Mary Gaskell and Hans Anderson.
They later travelled greatly and William and two of his sons became important names in the exploration of Australia and New Zealand.
"Mary Howitt's House" can still be seen in Balance Street, Uttoxeter.





































