Emma Bedelia Dunham
Emma Bedelia Dunham (August 31, 1826 – 1910) was an American poet and teacher. She began writing for publication when very young, and continued to write for newspapers and magazines throughout her life. Some of her work was republished in Europe.[1]
Emma Bedelia Dunham | |
|---|---|
 "A woman of the century" | |
| Born | Emma Bedelia Sargent August 31, 1826 Minot, Maine, U.S. |
| Died | 1910 Deering, Maine, U.S. |
| Resting place | Pine Grove Cemetery, Portland, Maine, U.S. |
| Pen name | (various) |
| Occupation | poet, teacher |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Westbrook Seminary |
| Notable works | "Margaret, a Home Opera in Six Acts" |
| Spouse | Rufus Dunham (m. 1845) |
| Relatives | Judge Joseph Augustus Sargent, Judge William Griffith Sargent (brothers) |
Early years and education
Emma Bedelia Sargent was born in Minot, Maine, August 31, 1826. One of nine children, she was the fourth child in the family of Capt. Joseph Smith Sargent and Ann Hoyt Sargent.[2] Her oldest brother was Judge Joseph Augustus Sargent of Minnesota. Her younger brother, Judge William Griffith Sargent, was of Kansas; during the Civil War, he was under Ulysses S. Grant, made major.[1]
Dunham attended the district school.[2] She moved with her parents to the city of Portland, Maine, at the age of nine years. There, she attended public and private schools and had the benefit of private teachers. Her school education was finished in Westbrook Seminary. Her collection of natural curiosities was begun when she was about eleven years old.[3]
Career
Dunham was a writer and teacher. Children went to her school for the pleasure as well as instruction to be had there.[3]
She began to write when very young, changing pen names often, dreading to have the public know her as an author, until, after years of success, she gained courage to use her own name. Her writings consisted largely of poetry, but also included sketches on natural history, essays, letters of travel, and stories for children. Some of her songs were set to music. "Margaret, a Home Opera in Six Acts", is one of the best of her poetic productions. It was brought out in 1875.[3]
Personal life
She married Rufus Dunham, of Westbrook, Maine, August 25, 1845, a manufacturer of Britannia and silver-plated ware.[1] They had three sons and two daughters. Four other children died young.[3]
At Dunham's suggestion, the All Souls Universalist Church was organized in 1881, she becoming one of the original members.[3]
Dunham eventually moved to Deering, Maine,[3] and died there in 1910. She was buried at Pine Grove Cemetery in Portland.
References
- Moulton 1895, p. 527.
- Willard & Livermore 1893, p. 262.
- Willard & Livermore 1893, p. 263.
Attribution
