On July 4, 1865, Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland“ was first published, marking a significant milestone in literary history. This classic has captivated readers for generations, yet few are aware of the real-life inspiration behind the story’s central character.
Alice Liddell, the muse behind Carroll’s fantastical world, was more than just a fictional character. Her interactions with Carroll led to the creation of a story that would enchant the world. Carroll, charmed by Alice’s curiosity and wit, wove tales that eventually became the beloved book.
A significant moment in Alice’s life occurred in 1862 in England, when Carroll captured her essence through his photography. This image offers a glimpse into the real Alice who inspired a world of wonder.
Alice Liddell led a long and fulfilling life. At 28, she married Reginald Hargreaves, a professional Hampshire cricketer, and bore three sons. Tragically, her two eldest sons, Alan Knyveton Hargreaves and Leopold Reginald “Rex“ Hargreaves, were casualties of World War I. Alice passed away in 1934 in Westerham at 82, leaving behind a rich legacy.
On June 25, 1870, the original manuscript of “Alice’s Adventures Under Ground,“ gifted to Alice by Carroll, was sold for £15,400 to Eldridge R. Johnson, a founder of the Victor Talking Machine Company. This manuscript’s journey didn’t end there; after Johnson’s death, it was purchased by a consortium of American bibliophiles and now resides in the British Library.
Alice’s encounter with Peter Llewelyn Davies in the United States, when she was 80, is another noteworthy aspect of her life. Davies, the inspiration behind J.M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan,“ met Alice, intertwining the legacies of two iconic literary figures.
In honor of Alice Liddell, the asteroid 17670 Liddell was named, immortalizing her influence beyond the confines of literature.
The original manuscript’s last page, along with several rare photographs of Alice, including those taken by Lewis Carroll between 1859 and 1860 and Julia Margaret Cameron’s “Pomona“ (Alice Liddell, Young Woman), are valuable artifacts that provide insight into the life of the real Alice in Wonderland.
