Wonderful Little Girl : Sarah Jacob

Description

On a winter's day in 1869, two surgeons performed an autopsy on the body of a 12-year-old Welsh girl who had died in strange circumstances. The child, even in death, was very beautiful. Yet there were signs that she had suffered greatly towards the end. This is the true story of a remarkable child, who enchanted everyone, but who at the age of ten suddenly took to her bed. During the last two years of her life she allegedly had nothing to eat or drink at all - and yet mysteriously survived. Sarah Jacob's family claimed she was a miracle, and, as her fame grew, thousands flocked to her bedside. Was she living on thin air? Doctors felt compelled to investigate and began a round-the-clock vigil which quickly killed her. Sarah Jacob was a tragic child celebrity: a victim of the era in which she lived when Science and Faith were grappling with the conscience of man.

Sian Busby is a researcher and broadcaster. This is her first book. She lives with her family in North London.