📖 Overview
Hannah Glasse (1708-1770) was an 18th-century English cookery writer who created the most influential cookbook of the Georgian era. Her seminal work "The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy" (1747) became the century's bestselling recipe book, going through 20 editions and remaining in print well into the 1800s.
Born in London to a Northumberland landowner and his mistress, Glasse eloped at age 16 with a 30-year-old Irish subaltern. Financial struggles led her to write her famous cookbook, which, while containing many copied recipes, also introduced several groundbreaking culinary innovations, including the first curry recipe in English and the first printed mention of Yorkshire pudding.
Beyond her culinary contributions, Glasse worked as a dressmaker in Covent Garden, counting Princess Augusta among her clients. Despite her successful cookbook and dressmaking business, she faced significant financial difficulties, eventually leading to imprisonment for bankruptcy and the forced sale of her cookbook's copyright.
Long overlooked by history, Glasse's true identity remained unknown until historian Madeleine Hope Dodds uncovered it in 1938. Her legacy lives on through her revolutionary approach to cookbook writing, which emphasized clarity and accessibility over the complex, French-influenced style common in her era.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Glasse's straightforward instructions and practical approach to cooking. Many note how her recipes remain relevant and useful today, with Amazon reviews highlighting the historical value of reading 18th-century cooking methods firsthand.
Readers like:
- Clear, simple recipe instructions
- Historical insights into Georgian-era cooking
- Inclusion of household management tips
- Mix of basic and complex dishes
- Personal commentary within recipes
Common criticisms:
- Lack of precise measurements
- Outdated ingredients and techniques
- Difficult-to-read original typeface
- Missing modern cooking context
- Inconsistent recipe outcomes
Modern editions on Goodreads average 4.2/5 stars from 250+ ratings. One reader notes: "Her recipes are surprisingly accessible despite their age." Amazon reviews (3.9/5 from 100+ reviews) mention challenges with period-specific terminology but praise the historical perspective. Several readers recommend Dover Publications' facsimile edition for its authentic reproduction of the original text.
📚 Books by Hannah Glasse
The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy (1747)
A comprehensive cookbook containing over 972 recipes, written in simple language for household servants, covering everything from basic cooking techniques to complex dishes, including the first published recipe for curry in English.
The Compleat Confectioner (1760) A detailed guide to making candies, preserves, and desserts, with instructions for creating everything from marchpane to jellies and ice cream.
The Servants' Directory (1760) A practical manual for household management, offering instructions for servants on cleaning, maintaining household items, and basic domestic duties.
The Art of Cookery, For the Year 1747 (1747) The yearly periodical version of her main cookbook, featuring seasonal recipes and household management advice distributed in installments.
The Compleat Confectioner (1760) A detailed guide to making candies, preserves, and desserts, with instructions for creating everything from marchpane to jellies and ice cream.
The Servants' Directory (1760) A practical manual for household management, offering instructions for servants on cleaning, maintaining household items, and basic domestic duties.
The Art of Cookery, For the Year 1747 (1747) The yearly periodical version of her main cookbook, featuring seasonal recipes and household management advice distributed in installments.
👥 Similar authors
Mary Cole
Published "The Lady's Complete Guide" in 1788, featuring household management and cooking instruction for middle-class women. Her writing style mirrors Glasse's practical approach and clear instructions for the common household.
Maria Rundell Created "A New System of Domestic Cookery" in 1806, which became a standard cookbook for British households. Like Glasse, she focused on practical recipes and household economy, writing for the middle-class homemaker.
William Kitchiner Wrote "The Cook's Oracle" in 1817, testing each recipe personally before including it in his book. His emphasis on precise measurements and clear instructions follows Glasse's tradition of making cooking accessible to ordinary people.
Eliza Smith Authored "The Compleat Housewife" in 1727, which served as a precursor to Glasse's work and established the format for modern recipe writing. She shared Glasse's focus on practical English cooking and household management.
Elizabeth Raffald Published "The Experienced English Housekeeper" in 1769, combining cooking instructions with household management advice. Her work maintains the same practical approach as Glasse, focusing on clear instructions for middle-class households.
Maria Rundell Created "A New System of Domestic Cookery" in 1806, which became a standard cookbook for British households. Like Glasse, she focused on practical recipes and household economy, writing for the middle-class homemaker.
William Kitchiner Wrote "The Cook's Oracle" in 1817, testing each recipe personally before including it in his book. His emphasis on precise measurements and clear instructions follows Glasse's tradition of making cooking accessible to ordinary people.
Eliza Smith Authored "The Compleat Housewife" in 1727, which served as a precursor to Glasse's work and established the format for modern recipe writing. She shared Glasse's focus on practical English cooking and household management.
Elizabeth Raffald Published "The Experienced English Housekeeper" in 1769, combining cooking instructions with household management advice. Her work maintains the same practical approach as Glasse, focusing on clear instructions for middle-class households.