Henry Handel Richardson Australian writer Ethel Florence Lindesay Richardson, often known by her literary name Henry Handel Richardson, lived from 3 January 1870 to 20 March 1946. Her most famous work is the Victorian Book The Getting of isdom, which H. G. Wells praised. She was the daughter of Dr. Walter Lindesay Richardson and Mary (née Bailey) and grew up in a wealthy household that later suffered hard times. Dr. Walter Lindesay Richardson (c. 1826-1879). Her mother worked as a postmistress and her father passed away from syphilis when she was nine. Her mother's house is now available to guests. Richardson excelled in the arts and music while she was a student at PLC. To let Richardson, pursue her musical studies at the Leipzig Conservatorium, her mother sent the family to Europe in 1888. In Leipzig, Richardson based the first book she wrote, on Maurice Guest. Richardson has had lesbian desires all of her life. Richardson fell deeply in love with the Italian actress Eleonora Duse after the death of her mother. The void created by the death of her husband was filled by her friend Olga Roncoroni. Many of her papers were destroyed after her death per her orders. On March 20, 1946, in Hastings, East Sussex, England, Richardson passed away from cancer. Read More Read Less