Robert Harkness, father to Margaret Harkness, passed away in 1886. As an Anglican priest, Robert had much influence over Margaret's religious life and subsequent views. After her father's death, Margaret becomes involved in many radical political movements to help prevent or alieve poverty in the East End, even adopting the pseudonym "John Law" to publish her writings in favor of the movements. A City Girl is among several works of Margaret's attempting to bring attention to the poverty of the East End against the comfortability of the West End of London and the political divisions between the working and middle class. 

Harkness, Margaret. A City Girl: A Realistic Story, edited by Tabitha Sparks, Broadview Press, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, 2017.