Sarah Josepha Hale
- Born:
- October 24, 1788, Newport, New Hampshire, USA
- Died:
- April 30, 1879, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Writer, Editor, Poet, Advocate
Early Life and Education
- Largely self-educated due to limited formal schooling opportunities for women.
- Received homeschooling from her mother and brother, Horatio Gates Buell, who later became a lawyer.
- Maintained a voracious reading habit, expanding her knowledge base significantly.
Career and Major Achievements
- Published her first collection of poems, The Genius of Oblivion, in 1823.
- Became the editor of Ladies' Magazine in Boston in 1828, one of the first women to edit a major magazine.
- In 1837, Ladies' Magazine merged with Godey's Lady's Book, and she became its editor, a position she held for 40 years.
- Advocated for women's education and employment opportunities through her writing and editorial work.
- Championed the preservation of Mount Vernon as a national shrine to George Washington.
- Successfully campaigned for the establishment of Thanksgiving as a national holiday in the United States.
Notable Works
- The Genius of Oblivion (1823)
- Northwood; or, Life North and South: Showing the True Character of Both (1827)
- "Mary's Little Lamb" (poem, 1830)
- Woman's Record; or, Sketches of All Distinguished Women, From the Creation to A.D. 1854 (1855)
Legacy and Impact
Sarah Josepha Hale was a highly influential figure in 19th-century America. As a pioneering female editor, she shaped public opinion, advocated for women's rights, and played a significant role in establishing cultural traditions. An account of a Sarah Josepha Hale biography reveals a tireless champion of education and national unity.