Tales from Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet

About Mary Lamb

Mary Lamb (1764–1847) spent much of her life under the guardianship of her brother Charles because, in a fit of temporary insanity, she attacked and wounded their father and stabbed and killed their mother. Charles had himself declared her guardian to save her from permanent commitment to an asylum, and after 1799 they lived together. Mary was an intelligent and affectionate companion, but the shadow of her madness plagued them for the rest of their lives. However, they did collaborate on several books for children, publishing in 1807 their famous children's collection Tales from Shakespeare.