Our book study group has mentioned the title of the book "Black Beauty" on different occasions, which of course led me to think back on my own introduction to the book. I don't recall at what age I read the book, only that I was not yet an adult. Like many a horse lover, I was captivated by the book and read it cover to cover most likely without stopping. This famous, iconic novel was published in 1877, written by Anna Sewell. It's likely that Sewell based Beauty's character on Bess, a spirited black horse who was owned by the Sewell family.
Anna Sewell said that her purpose in writing the novel was "to induce kindness, sympathy, and an understanding treatment of horses"—She cited "Essay on Animals" by Horace Bushness (1802-1876) as the inspiration to write her own novel promoting better treatment of horses. This article on NPR provides some interesting insights into how and why "Black Beauty" may have changed the way we see horses, as the article claims. Sadly, Anna Sewell, the book's author, died only five months after her only novel was published.
Wow! I remember the book well, but did not know of her specific purpose for writing it. Thank you for the resources, too!