Works in the Collection      Manuscript Materials      Biographies

Sarah Josepha (Buell) Hale, was born in New Hampshire. A widow, she took to writing to support her family. As a writer in Philadelphia, Hale was also editor, for forty years, of the popular magazine The Lady's Book. It was largely through her influence that Thanksgiving became a national holiday. An exceptionally prolific and industrious writer, her numerous works include poems, novels, biographical pieces, reference works, and writings for children. Her Woman's Record, which runs to over nine hundred pages, contains biographical sketches of notable women throughout history.

Works in the EAF Collection

"Boarding Out." A Tale of Domestic Life (1846) (Restricted)

"The Frontier House" , from The Legendary (1828) (Restricted)

Keeping House and Housekeeping: A Story of Domestic Life (1845) (Restricted)

Liberia; or, Mr. Peyton's Experiments (1853) (Restricted)

Northwood; or, Life North and South, Showing the True Character of Both (1852) (Restricted)

Sketches of American Character (1829) (Restricted)

Traits of American Life (1835) (Restricted)

EAF Manuscript Materials

Letter: Hale to "Dear Sir" (November 6, 1851)

Letter: Hale to "Dear Sir" (June 13, 1852)

Photo: Sarah J. Hale, young

Photo: Sarah J. Hale, older

Contemporary Biographies

From Oscar Fay Adams, A Dictionary of American Authors (1901)

From Samuel Austin Allibone, A Critical Dictionary of English Literature (1900)

From Evert A. Duyckinck, Cyclopaedia of American Literature (1856)