Mary Theresa Vidal

Mary Theresa Vidal (1815 – 19 November 1873) was an English novelist who was among the first writers to publish fiction about Australian life. Born in Devon in 1815, she married a clergyman and moved to Australia in 1840, before returning to England five years later. While in Australia, she published a popular collection of Christian moral tales titled Tales for the Bush, intended to provide moral and religious guidance to convict and servant readers. Upon returning to England, Vidal continued to publish novels and short stories, several of which are set in Australia. Her writing often explored domestic morality and women's place in society.