Fern, Fanny, 1811-1872

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Author; Journalist; Columnist; Children's author; Humorist.

Sara Payson Willis (Fanny Fern) born Portland, Maine, 1811; educated in Boston and at Catharine Beecher's seminary in Hartford, Connecticut. Married Charles Eldredge, 1837 (died 1846); had three daughters; married Samuel P. Farrington (divorced three years later); married James Parton, 1856. In 1851 she began writing for several small Boston magazines under the name Fanny Fern, and her pieces were soon picked up by numerous newspapers. Published collection of writings, Fern Leaves from Fanny's Port-Folio, 1853 which was an immediate bestseller; had a regular weekly column in the New York Ledger, as one of first women columnists. Co-founded New York City's pioneer woman's club, Sorosis, 1868. Died 1872. Ethel Parton born, New York, 1862. After death of her mother, was adopted by her grandparents, Sara Willis and James Parton. Educated at home at the school of Jane Andrews, and at the Putnam Free School in Newburyport, Massachusetts. After high school she worked for James Parton as "secretary, literary assistant, and occasional collaborator." Wrote for Youth's Companion and St. Nicholas, and at age 70 began writing children's books. Died 1944.

From the description of Fanny Fern and Ethel Parton Papers, 1828-1920. (Smith College). WorldCat record id: 48273407

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Fern, Fanny, 1811-1872. Letter to the editor of the New Bedford [manuscript], 1855-1857. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Lutz, Alma, 1890-1973. Collection of documents by and about abolitionists and women's rights activists, 1775-1943 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf Fern, Fanny, 1811-1872. Fanny Fern and Ethel Parton Papers, 1828-1920. Smith College, Neilson Library
creatorOf Fern, Fanny, 1811-1872. Photo of Sarah Payson Willis Parton ("Fanny Fern") [manuscript], n.d. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Radcliffe College Seminar on Women. Records, 1951-1959 (inclusive). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf Parton, James, 1822-1891. Papers of James Parton [manuscript] 1860-1893. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Portland Society of Natural History (Me.). Portland Society of Natural History records, 1850-1946. Maine Historical Society Library
creatorOf Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 1811-1896. [Letters, 1863- 1868] / H. B. Stowe. Smith College, Neilson Library
creatorOf Reid, William, fl. 1795-1797. Saddle-maker's ledger book, 1795-1797, 1848-1870. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Rose Terry Cooke Collection, 1866-1891 University of Virginia. Library. Special Collections Dept.
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Beecher, Catharine Esther, 1800-1878. person
associatedWith Cooke, Rose Terry, 1827-1892. person
associatedWith Doesticks, Q. K. Philander, 1831-1875. person
associatedWith Hartford Female Seminary (Hartford, Conn.) corporateBody
associatedWith Lutz, Alma, person
associatedWith Parton, Ethel, 1862-1944. person
associatedWith Parton family. family
associatedWith Parton, James, 1822-1891. person
associatedWith Portland Society of Natural History (Me.) corporateBody
associatedWith Radcliffe College Seminar on Women. corporateBody
associatedWith Reid, William, fl. 1795-1797. person
associatedWith Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 1811-1896. person
associatedWith Willis family. family
associatedWith Willis, Nathaniel Parker, 1806-1867. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
New York (State)--New York
United States
Subject
Publishers and publishing
Authors, American
American wit and humor
Women authors, American
Children's literature
Feminists
Newspapers
Satire, American
Women journalists
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1811-07-09

Death 1872-10-10

Americans

English

Information

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