Catherine Louisa Pirkins

Catherine Louisa Pirkis was born on the 6th October 1839 in London to middle-class parents.

One of nine children the family moved frequently although the reasons are not known and much of the facts of Catherine’s life are also unknown.

At the age of 32 Catherine married Frederick Edward Pirkis, a fleet-paymaster for the Royal Navy. The couple had two children and had a number of servants in attendance.

Catherine’s earliest writings are from 1877, a period when she published the first of her 14 novels. She also wrote stories for the many periodicals of the time. Perhaps her most famous literary creation was the female detective Loveday Brooke. Although at this time many authors were attempting to ride the Sherlock Holmes bandwagon her series is notable for being both female-authored and featuring a professional woman detective. 

In 1891 Catherine, together with her husband, founded the British National Canine, known today as the Dog’s Trust, it is the largest charity of its kind in the UK. Her work and experiences with dogs was also used in her literary work. 

Catherine Louisa Pirkis died on the 4th October 1910 after a long illness. She is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery.