About the Author

Hilda Leyel (1880-1957), who wrote under the name Mrs. C. F. Leyel, was an expert on herbalism and founded the Society of Herbalists (later the Herb Society) in England in 1927, as well as opening the Culpeper Shops chain of herbalist stores. Author of a book on herbalism, called Elixirs of Life, Leyel was also a fellow of the Royal Institution, and an officer of the Academie Francaise. Suffragist, journalist and author of the post-war novel Anne, Miss Olga Hartley was Hilda Leyel's assistant, and helped her with the writing of The Gentle Art of Cooking.