Fanny Cornforth - Biography

Biography

It is believed that Cornforth's real name was Sarah Cox, but not certain, nor is it known when she became known as "Fanny Cornforth". Cornforth was the name of her first husband's stepfather, which she adopted as her surname.

Cornforth met Rossetti in 1858, and became his model and mistress in the absence of Elizabeth Siddal who Rossetti married in 1860, under the impression that she was dying. Many biographers presumed Siddal disliked Cornforth, but there is no proof that Siddal even knew of her existence. Three months after Rossetti's wedding Cornforth married mechanic Timothy Hughes, but the relationship was short-lived. After Siddal's death in 1862, Cornforth moved into the widowed Rossetti's home as his housekeeper. The affair between them lasted until Rossetti's death. For much of the time Rossetti was engaged in an off-and-on relationship with Jane Morris who was married to his colleague, William Morris. Their relationship was not made public but his relationship with Cornforth was.

Cornforth came from the lower/rural working class of English society. Her coarse accent and lack of education shocked Rossetti's friends and family. Many never accepted her and pressured Rossetti to end the affair. Over the course of their relationship, Cornforth gained weight. Much has been made of this by biographers, but the growing girths of both Rossetti and Cornforth was a mutual joke. His pet name for her was "My Dear Elephant" and she called him "Rhino". When they were apart, he drew cartoons of elephants sent them to her.

It is not known when or where Fanny died. Apparently suffering from senile dementia, in 1905 she was cared for by her sister-in-law.