BEETON, Isabella Mary, British cookery writer, 1836-1865. The earliest well known writer on this subject. Her publication ‘Book of Household Management’ was released in 1861, when she was 23. Help came from many directions, not least from readers of her husband’s weekly publication ‘The Englishwoman’s Domestic Magazine’. Over 3,000 recipes were in her book, many being sent in by readers of the magazine. Isabella’s book was serialised first in the magazine (in 30 instalments throughout 1859-60). It is referred to as a cookbook, but it was the first domestic science textbook, not merely food/cooking. Her husband successfully developed the books after she died at the age of 27.