Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith, 1856-1923

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American author and educator.

From the description of Papers of Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin, 1887-1923. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 31083790

Wiggin was born in Philadelphia, the daughter of Robert N. Smith and Helen E. Dyer. Her father died when she was three. She and her mother then moved to Maine, the setting of most of her future books. Three years later, her mother married Albion Bradbury. At 17, she moved with her family to Santa Barbara (Calif.). There she was trained in the Froebel kindergaren theory and opened Silver St. Kindergarten, the first free kindergarten in the western U.S., in the slums of San Francisco. In 1881 she married Samuel B. Wiggin. The kindergarten was then operated by her sister, Nora Smith, but Kate continued to direct her training school until she and her husband moved to N.Y. in 1884. In 1883 she published her first story. After her husband died in 1889, Kate wrote many more books, including Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1903), a children's classic. In 1895 she married George C. Riggs. She died in 1923 in England. (Information from American National Biography online.).

From the description of A prayer in the presence of death, 1915. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 48990909

Kate Douglas Wiggin (1856-1923) was a pioneer of the kindergarten movement in the United States in the nineteenth century. She helped to establish the Silver Street Kindergarten in San Francisco in 1878, the first free kindergarten in California. She also co-founded the California Kindergarten Training School for aspiring kindergarten teachers in 1880. In addition to kindergarten training and advocacy, Wiggin was a prolific author of books for children, including the well-known Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1903) and Mother Carey's chickens (1911). Wiggin also published a number of works on kindergarten theory and method as well as fiction for adults. Wiggin's teaching philosophy was based on the writings of Friedrich Froebel, a German educator who established the concept of kindergarten in the 1830s. In her three-volume work on kindergarten philosophy, The Republic of childhood (1895-96), Wiggin modeled her lessons on Froebel's "Gifts and Occupations". These activities were taught to students at her kindergarten training school and resulted in sample books like those in this collection.

From the description of Kate Douglas Wiggin collection, circa 1880-1915. (San Jose Public Library). WorldCat record id: 643349430

Wiggin, British-born but considered an American author, notably of children's stories. Among her noted novels is: Rebecca of sunnybrook farm (1903).

From the description of [Letter, 18]92 Nov. 1, Hotel Albert, 11th St., N. Y. [to] Miss Rodman / Kate Douglas Wiggin. (Smith College). WorldCat record id: 491436919

Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin was an author and kindergarten teacher. For biographical information, see Notable American Women, 1607-1950 (1971).

From the description of Papers, n.d. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 232007364

Author.

From the description of Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin correspondence, 1916 November 3. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70980357

Kate Douglas Wiggin was an American author and educator. She was the author of numerous popular children's stories and anthologies, romantic novels for adults, and plays adapted from her stories; her most popular and enduring work was probably Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. She was an integral contributor to the kindergarten movement in America, establishing the first free kindergarten in California and founding a school for kindergarten teachers.

From the description of Kate Douglas Wiggin letter and card, probably 1895. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 56550719

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Howells, William Dean, 1837-1920. Papers of William Dean Howells [manuscript], 1866-1919. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn American authors collection, 1832-1956. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Theodore Roosevelt Collection: Manuscript copies, 18-- - 19--. Theodore Roosevelt Collection, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Alexander Black papers, 1858-1939, bulk (1890-1928). New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Charles E.L. Wingate papers, 1821-1919 (bulk 1892-1898) Houghton Library
creatorOf Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith, 1856-1923. Letters, 1888, 1894. Raymond H. Fogler Library
referencedIn Additional papers, ca. 1870-1922. Houghton Library
creatorOf Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith, 1856-1923. Papers of Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin, 1887-1923. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Clara Marian Wheeler papers, 1874-1948 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Severance, Caroline M. Seymour (Caroline Maria Seymour), 1820-1914. Papers of Caroline Maria Seymour Severance, 1830-1980 (bulk) 1860-1914. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Walter Hines Page letters from various correspondents, American period Houghton Library
referencedIn Severance, Caroline M. Seymour (Caroline Maria Seymour), 1820-1914. Papers, 1830-1980 The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens Manuscripts Department
creatorOf Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith, 1856-1923. Letter : New York : ALS, [undated]. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Grace Gallatin Seton-Thompson Papers MS 143., 1903-1940 Sophia Smith Collection
referencedIn Robinson, Corinne Roosevelt, 1861-1933. Papers, 1847-1933 Theodore Roosevelt Collection, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Love family papers, 1872-1958 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Shain, Charles E. Growing up in Maine : research papers collection, 1990-1993. Maine Historical Society Library
creatorOf Wheeler, Clara Marian, 1861-1946. Clara Marian Wheeler papers, 1874-1948. Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith, 1856-1923. Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin correspondence, 1916 November 3. Library of Congress
creatorOf Dorr, Julia C. R. (Julia Caroline Ripley), 1825-1913. Papers of 47 women authors, chiefly American [manuscript] 1847-1949, 1970. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Coit, Sam. Papers, [ca. 1895]-1933. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith, 1856-1923. Letter 1922, February 6, New York City [to] Mrs. [Edwin] Markham, [Staten Island] / Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin. Wagner College, Horrmann Library
referencedIn Alexander Woollcott correspondence, ca. 1856-1943 (inclusive), 1920-1943 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Monroe, Harriet. Papers, 1873-1944 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
creatorOf Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946. Additional letters of Ernest Thompson Seton [manuscript], 1899-1932. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf MacKay, Constance D'Arcy. Constance D'Arcy MacKay papers, 1915-1939. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Jessie Tarbox Beals Photograph Collection, [1900-1940] (Bulk 1904-1920) New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Smedley family theater collection, 1899-1913.
referencedIn Elizabeth Garver Jordan papers, 1891-1945 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Century Company records New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Houghton Mifflin Company contracts, 1831-1979 (inclusive) 1880-1940 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Todd, Mabel Loomis, 1856-1932. Mabel Loomis Todd papers, 1863-1948 (inclusive). Yale University Library
creatorOf Ward, Lydia Avery Coonley, 1845-1924. Autographs collected and letters received by Lydia Avery Coonley Ward, 1705, 1785, 1848, 1861-1922 (bulk 1861-1922). University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf St. Nicholas Magazine. Papers, 1870-1925. University of Southern Mississippi, Regional Campus, Joseph Anderson Cook Library
referencedIn Houghton Mifflin Company correspondence and records, 1832-1944. Houghton Library
referencedIn Sarah Orne Jewett correspondence, 1861-1930. Houghton Library
creatorOf Marvin, Samuel W. Autograph collection, 1815-1917. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Catherwood, Mary Hartwell, 1847-1902. Papers of Mary Hartwell Catherwood, 1877-1899, n.d. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Marie Bertrand Gross correspondence, 1883-1935 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Thomas Bailey Aldrich papers, 1837-1926. Houghton Library
referencedIn Seton-Thompson, Grace Gallatin. Papers, 1903-1940. Smith College, Neilson Library
creatorOf Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith, 1856-1923. Letter to Miss Morgan. Hollis, ME. 1900 July 23. University of Iowa Libraries
referencedIn Love family. Love family papers, 1872-1958 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Landauer, Bella Clara, 1874-1960. Collection, 1762-1941 (inclusive). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf Bunnell, Katherine Mapes. Bunnell-Mapes family papers, 1821-1966 (bulk 1870-1907). UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Robinson, Corinne Roosevelt, 1861-1933. Papers, 1847-1933 Theodore Roosevelt Collection, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith, 1856-1923. [Inscription to] John Kendrick Bangs. Millersville University Library, McNairy Library
creatorOf Twain, Mark, 1835-1910. Autograph card. Dartmouth College Library
creatorOf Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith, 1856-1923. Papers, n.d. Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith, 1856-1923. Correspondence with Elizabeth Coolidge, Arlo Bates, Mr. Alvord, Bertha Coolidge, the editor of Atlantic monthly, Mr. Marshall, Lady Nancy Lucy, Mr. Muirhead, Miss Tyler, Mrs. Hutton, Miss True, photographs, and programs : with several items by her sister Nora Archibald Smith, and letters from H.O. Houghton, Anna M. Stowall, and Clayton Hamilton and two letters from D.G. S[lade] to Marjorie Prescott concerning Wiggin's archives. University of Wisconsin - Madison, General Library System
referencedIn Louise Chandler Moulton Papers, 1852-1908 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith, 1856-1923. Kate Douglas Wiggin letter and card, probably 1895. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
referencedIn Monroe, Harriet, 1860-1936. Papers, 1873-1944 (inclusive). University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Smith, Nora Archibald, 1859-1934. Kate Douglas Wiggin: As Her Sister Knew Her : ms., [1925 ca.]. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Hamilton Aïdé papers, 1824-1906 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Mark Anthony De Wolfe Howe additional papers Houghton Library
referencedIn Henry Oscar Houghton additional papers, 1839-1895 Houghton Library
creatorOf Stockton, Frank Richard, 1834-1902. Papers of Frank Richard Stockton [manuscript], 1874-1900. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith, 1856-1923. A prayer in the presence of death, 1915. Clarke Historical Library
creatorOf Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith, 1856-1923,. Autograph letters signed from Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin, New York, to Augustin Daly [manuscript], [1889]. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Beals, Jessie Tarbox. Photographs, 1896-1941 (inclusive). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith, 1856-1923. Autograph, n.d. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Riley, James Whitcomb, 1849-1916. Poem and letters to James Whitcomb Riley [manuscript], n.d. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn J. T. (John Townsend) Trowbridge papers, 1855-1939. Houghton Library
creatorOf Elizabeth Garver Jordan papers, 1891-1945. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Henry Oscar Houghton papers, 1773-1932 (bulk 1833-1895) Houghton Library
creatorOf Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith, 1856-1923. The quilt of happiness : a Rebecca story / Kate Douglas Wiggin. Portland Public Library
creatorOf Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith, 1856-1923. [Letter, 18]92 Nov. 1, Hotel Albert, 11th St., N. Y. [to] Miss Rodman / Kate Douglas Wiggin. Smith College, Neilson Library
creatorOf Stebbins, Horatio, 1821-1902. Horatio Stebbins papers, 1868-1902. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Todd, Mabel Loomis, 1856-1932. Mabel Loomis Todd papers, 1863-1948 (inclusive) Yale University Library
referencedIn Mabel Loomis Todd papers, 1863-1948 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn A.P. Watt (Firm). A.P. Watt records, 1888-1982 (major authors T-Z). University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
creatorOf Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith, 1856-1923. Letters, poems, photographs and clippings, 1888-1938. Dartmouth College Library
referencedIn Hobbs, Janet Webb. The Brick House and its people, ca. 1930. Maine Historical Society Library
referencedIn Autograph collection of American writers, 1808-1970. Temple University Libraries, Paley Library
referencedIn Woodberry, George Edward, 1855-1930. Correspondence and compositions, 1859-1930. Houghton Library
referencedIn Wiggin, Samuel Bradley, 1854-1889. Papers. 1874-1889. Dartmouth College Library
referencedIn Additional papers, 1859-1903. Houghton Library
creatorOf Cabell, James Branch, 1879-1958. Scrapbooks of James Branch Cabell [manuscript], 1886-1958 (bulk 1904-1926). University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Collection of autographs, [ca. 1797 to ca. 1915] Brown University Archives, John Hay Library
referencedIn Richard Aldrich papers, 1842-1956 (inclusive), 1883-1938 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith, 1856-1923. Letter 1916, November 15, New York City [to] Mr. [Edwin] Markham, [Staten Island] / Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin. Wagner College, Horrmann Library
creatorOf Gilbert, W. S. (William Schwenck), 1836-1911. Autograph letter signed : Grim's Dyke, Harrow Weald, to Kate Douglas Wiggin, 1905 May 4. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Constance D'Arcy MacKay papers, 1915-1939 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Browning, Robert, 1812-1889,. American and English literary and historical papers collected by Atcheson L. Hench [manuscript] 1832-1953. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Alexander Black papers, 1858-1939, 1890-1928 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Amy Lowell correspondence, 1883-1927 (inclusive), 1910-1925 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, 1807-1882. The Longfellow birthday-book, 1881. Houghton Library
creatorOf Houghton Mifflin Company. Houghton Mifflin Company correspondence and records, 1832-1944. Houghton Library
referencedIn Kate Douglas Wiggin collection, circa 1880-1915 San José State University. Library
referencedIn Photographs, 1896-1941, n.d. Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf Gilbert, W. S. (William Schwenck), 1836-1911. Autograph letter signed : Grim's Dyke, Harrow Weald, to Kate Douglas Wiggin, 1905 Sept. 27. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith, 1856-1923. Kate Douglas Wiggin collection, circa 1880-1915. San Jose State University
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Aïdé, Hamilton, 1826-1906. person
associatedWith Aldrich, Richard, 1863-1937 person
correspondedWith Aldrich, Thomas Bailey, 1836-1907 person
associatedWith Alexander, William Valentine, person
associatedWith A.P. Watt (Firm) corporateBody
associatedWith Bangs, John Kendrick, 1862-1922. person
associatedWith Bates, Arlo, 1850-1918. person
associatedWith Beals, Jessie Tarbox. person
associatedWith Black, Alexander, 1859-1940. person
associatedWith Bodman, Clara P., person
associatedWith Bok, Edward William, 1863-1930, person
associatedWith Bunnell, Katherine Mapes. person
associatedWith Cabell, James Branch, 1879-1958. person
associatedWith Cairns Collection of American Women Writers. corporateBody
associatedWith Catherwood, Mary Hartwell, 1847-1902. person
associatedWith Century Company corporateBody
associatedWith Cheatham, Kitty person
associatedWith Coit, Sam. person
associatedWith Coolidge, Bertha. person
associatedWith Coolidge, Elizabeth Sprague, 1864-1953. person
correspondedWith Daly, Augustin, 1838-1899 person
associatedWith Dellenbaugh, Frederick Samuel, 1853-1935 person
associatedWith Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870. person
associatedWith Dodge, Mary Mapes, 1831-1905, person
associatedWith Drinkwater, John, 1882-1937, person
associatedWith Eaton, Seymour, 1859-1916, person
associatedWith Edwards, Mr. person
associatedWith Fisher, Mary, 1888- person
associatedWith Gilbert, W. S. (William Schwenck), 1836-1911. person
associatedWith Gilder, Richard Watson, 1844-1909, person
associatedWith Graves, Alfred Perceval, 1846-1931, person
associatedWith Gross, Marie Bertrand person
associatedWith Gunnison, Herbert Foster, 1858-1932. person
associatedWith Hamilton, Clayton Meeker, 1881-1946. person
associatedWith Hobbs, Janet Webb. person
associatedWith Houghton, Henry Oscar, 1823-1895, person
associatedWith Houghton Mifflin Company, corporateBody
associatedWith Houghton, Nanna W. Manning, person
associatedWith Howells, William Dean, 1837-1920. person
correspondedWith Howe, M. A. De Wolfe (Mark Antony De Wolfe), 1864-1960 person
associatedWith Hutton, Mrs. person
associatedWith Incorporated Society of Authors (Great Britain) corporateBody
associatedWith JESSIE TARBOX BEALS, 1870-1942 person
correspondedWith Jewett, Sarah Orne, 1849-1909 person
associatedWith Jordan, Elizabeth Garver, 1867-1947. person
associatedWith Keyes, Rowena Keith, b. 1880 person
associatedWith Ladies Home Journal, corporateBody
associatedWith Landauer, Bella Clara, 1874-1960. person
associatedWith Larcom, Lucy, 1824-1893, person
associatedWith Literary Digest, corporateBody
associatedWith Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, 1807-1882. person
associatedWith Love family family
associatedWith Love family. family
correspondedWith Lowell, Amy, 1874-1925 person
associatedWith MacKay, Constance D'Arcy. person
associatedWith Markham, Edwin, 1852-1940, person
associatedWith Marvin, Samuel W. person
associatedWith McClure, S. S. (Samuel Sidney), 1857-1949, person
associatedWith Monroe, Harriet, 1860-1936. person
associatedWith Mosher, Florence, person
associatedWith Moulton, Louise Chandler, 1835-1908. person
associatedWith Muirhead, James F. (James Fullarton), 1853-1934. person
associatedWith Page, Walter Hines, 1855-1918 person
associatedWith Peabody, Josephine Preston, 1874-1922 person
associatedWith Phelps, Elizabeth Stuart, 1844-1911, person
associatedWith Pond, James B. (James Burton), 1838-1903, person
associatedWith Quillcote (Hollis, Me.) corporateBody
associatedWith Riggs, George Christopher, d. 1925. person
associatedWith Riley, James Whitcomb, 1849-1916. person
associatedWith Robinson, Corinne Roosevelt, 1861-1933. person
associatedWith Roosevelt, Eleanor Butler, 1889-1960, person
associatedWith San Jose State Normal School corporateBody
associatedWith San José State University. Library. Special Collections & Archives. corporateBody
associatedWith Scudder, Horace Elisha, 1838-1902 person
associatedWith Seton, Ernest Thompson, 1860-1946. person
associatedWith Seton-Thompson, Grace Gallatin person
associatedWith Severance, Caroline M. Seymour (Caroline Maria Seymour), 1820-1914. person
associatedWith Shain, Charles E. person
associatedWith Slade, D. G. person
associatedWith Smith, Nora Archibald, 1859-1934. person
correspondedWith Stebbins, Edith Endicott person
associatedWith Stebbins, Horatio, 1821-1902. person
correspondedWith Stebbins, Roderick, 1859-1928 person
associatedWith Stevenson, Robert Louis, 1850-1894. person
associatedWith St. Nicholas Magazine. corporateBody
associatedWith Stockton, Frank Richard, 1834-1902. person
associatedWith Tewson, Will Orton, 1877-1947, person
associatedWith Todd, Mabel Loomis, 1856-1932. person
correspondedWith Trowbridge, J. T. (John Townsend), 1827-1916 person
associatedWith Twain, Mark, 1835-1910. person
associatedWith University of Wisconsin--Madison. Libraries. Dept. of Special Collections. corporateBody
associatedWith Ward, Lydia Avery Coonley, 1845-1924. person
associatedWith Webb, Charles Henry, 1834-1905, person
associatedWith Wheeler, Clara Marian, 1861-1946. person
associatedWith Widmer, Henry, 1844 or 5-1895 person
associatedWith Wiggin, Kate Doutlas Smith, 1856-1923. person
associatedWith Wiggin, Samuel Bradley, 1854-1889. person
associatedWith Wilcox, Ella Wheeler, 1850-1919 person
associatedWith Willets, Gilson, b. 1869, person
associatedWith Wingate, Charles E. L. (Charles Edgar Lewis), b. 1861 person
correspondedWith Woodberry, George Edward, 1855-1930 person
associatedWith Woollcott, Alexander, 1887-1943, person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Ireland
United States
California
Subject
American literature
Religion
Education
Women authors
Death
Kindergarten
Kindergarten
Kindergarten
Kindergarten teachers
Manuscripts
Prayer
Women
Ẁomen authors, American
Occupation
Authors
Activity

Person

Birth 1856-09-28

Death 1923-08-24

Information

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SNAC ID: 54683858