1821–1897, public lecturer and writer, Manchester. Also known as Mrs G. Linnaeus Banks. Published her first volume of poetry, Ivy Leaves in 1844. She married George Linnaeus Banks (1821–1881), a journalist and poet from Birmingham, and later assisted him in his work by contributing to the journals he edited. Between 1865 and 1894 Isabella published twelve novels, three volumes of poetry, and three volumes of stories. Her most famous work was The Manchester Man, first published in 1876. Mrs G. Linnaeus Banks died of heart failure at her home in London on 4 May 1897.

Publisher founded in London in 1852 by Henry Blackett and Daniel William Stow Hurst. Soon after the company formed, it took over the business of Henry Colburn. The firm was taken over by Hutchinson, which later became part of Random House.