Eliza Lee Cabot Follen facts for kids

Eliza Lee Cabot Follen (born August 15, 1787 – died January 26, 1860) was an American writer, editor, and a strong supporter of ending slavery. She wrote many stories and poems for newspapers and magazines when she was younger.

In 1828, she married Professor Charles Follen. Sadly, he died in a ship fire in 1840. During her marriage, Eliza Follen wrote many popular and helpful books. These books often showed her strong Christian faith. Some of her well-known works include The Well-spent Hour, Little Songs, and Life of Charles Follen.

She was also very interested in teaching young people about religion. In 1829, she edited the Christian Teacher's Manual. Later, from 1843 to 1850, she edited a children's magazine called the Child's Friend. Eliza Follen passed away in Brookline, Massachusetts, in 1860.

Early Life and Education

Eliza Lee Cabot was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on August 15, 1787. She was the fifth of thirteen children in the well-known Cabot family of Boston. Her parents were Samuel Cabot and Sarah Barrett Cabot. Eliza received a good education during her childhood.

Career and Activism

After her father, Samuel, died in 1819, Eliza and her two sisters created a home together. She made many friends who shared her interests in literature and religion. Among her friends were famous people like William Ellery Channing and Henry Ware.

With these friends, she helped start a Sunday school connected to the Federal Street Church. This showed her dedication to teaching and community.

Marriage and Family Life

Catharine Sedgwick introduced Eliza to Charles Follen, an educator. Charles was nine years younger than Eliza. They became good friends, and in 1828, they got married.

Sadly, Charles Follen died in a ship fire on the Lexington in Long Island Sound on January 13, 1840. After his death, Eliza Follen raised their only son, Charles Christopher, who was born in 1830. She even prepared him and other students for Harvard University.

Writing and Editing

Eliza Follen was a close friend of William Ellery Channing. She was also a very strong opponent of slavery. She used her writing to share her beliefs and educate others.

She published works by François Fénelon and also her husband's writings. Her own books included The Skeptic (1835) and Sketches of Married Life (1838). She also wrote children's books like From Little Songs, for Little Boys and Girls (1856).

Eliza Follen edited two important publications for Sunday schools:

• The Christian Teacher's Manual (from 1828 to 1830)
• The Child's Friend (from 1843 to 1850)

She wrote many poems, which were first published in Boston in 1839. While she was in England, she released another book for children called The Lark and the Linnet in 1854. These books included some poems she translated from German and versions of a few Psalms.

She also wrote several well-known hymns, including:

• "How sweet to be allowed to pray" (about feeling thankful for prayer).
• "How sweet upon this sacred day" (about Sunday).
• "Lord, deliver, Thou canst save" (a prayer for enslaved people).
• "God, Thou art good, each perfumed flower" (about God's goodness).

Eliza Follen died in Brookline, Massachusetts, on January 26, 1860.

Selected Works

Images for kids

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  Charles Follen, Eliza's husband