Mary Griffith

Mary Griffith
Born Mary Corre
1772
Died 1846 (aged 73–74)
Red Hook, New York
Occupation Writer
Nationality United States(US)
Genre Utopian fiction
Subject Agriculture, Social reform

Mary Griffith (1772–1846) was an American writer, horticulturist and scientist. Born Mary Corre, she married John Griffith, a wealthy New York City merchant who died in 1815. After the death of her husband she purchased an estate ("Charlieshope") in Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey. There she performed experiments in horticulture, natural history, economic entomology, the earth sciences, epidemiology, and optics and vision, publishing her results in scientific and literary journals and newspapers.[1] She also published several novels and stories including Camperdown, or News from Our Neighborhood (1836) which included Three Hundred Years Hence, the first known utopian novel by an American woman.[2] Griffith died in Red Hook, Dutchess County, New York in 1846.

(Early Life and Literary Activity)

Mary Griffith's father was Joseph Corré, who emigrated from France in 1776. He served as a cook to Major Richard Crewe of the British 17th Light Dragoons. Within a few months in October 1776, Corre established his own confectionery and catering business in New York City, which expanded to include a hotel, tavern, ice cream shop and two theaters. He was self-promoted and innovative, which allowed him to excel in the social scene.[1] This allowed for his daughter Mary Corré to marry a socialite, John Griffith (1768-1815). John's family had connections in Burlington, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and New York City. Many of his relatives were involved in New Jersey politics and societies.[1]

After the death of her husband, Mary Griffith spent time between her homes in Burlington, New Jersey and relatives and friends in Dutchess County, New York, as well as between New York City and Philadelphia, where his daughter and son-in-law settled in 1817.[1] She began writing short stories, and published them through her publishing connections at companies such as Wharton. While working with Wharton, she expanded her literary interests. In 1820, Griffith purchased an estate "Charlieshope" on the Raritan River west of New Brunswick, New Jersey.[1] This move led to her increased interest in natural phenomena.[1]

Partial bibliography

  • Our Neighborhood, or Letters on Horticulture and Natural Phenomena (1831)
  • Camperdown, or News from Our Neighborhood (1836)
  • Discoveries in Light and Vision (1836)
  • The Two Defaulters (1842)
  • Three Hundred Years Hence (1950, originally included in Camperdown)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cox, Robt S. (1993). "A SPONTANEOUS FLOW: THE GEOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARY GRIFFITH, 1772-1846". Earth Sciences History. 12 (2): 187–195. JSTOR 24138608.
  2. ↑ Suksang, Duangrudi (2000-01-01). "Mary Griffith's Pioneering Vision: Three Hundred Years Hence". Retrieved 2008-04-15.

  • "Women's History Sources: A Guide". Retrieved 2008-04-15.
  • Cox, Robt S. "A Spontaneous Flow: The Geological Contributions of Mary Griffith, 1772–1846 (abstract)" (PDF). Earth Science History. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 12, 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
  • Suksang, Duangrudi (2000-01-01). "Mary Griffith's Pioneering Vision: Three Hundred Years Hence". Retrieved 2008-04-15.
  • Tuck, Donald H. (1974). The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Chicago: Advent. p. 194. ISBN 0-911682-20-1.


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