Emily Thornton Charles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Emily Thornton Charles
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"A Woman of the Century"
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| Born | Emily Thornton March 21, 1845 Lafayette, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | April 25, 1895 (aged 50) Washington D.C. |
| Resting place | Rock Creek Cemetery |
| Pen name | Emily Hawthorne |
| Occupation | poet, journalist, newspaper founder |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | American |
| Notable works | Hawthorne Blossoms (1876); Lyrical Poems, Songs, Pastorals, War Poems, and Madrigals (1886) |
| Spouse |
Daniel B. Charles
(m. 1861; died 1869) |
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Emily Thornton Charles (born Thornton; pen name, Emily Hawthorne; March 21, 1845 – April 25, 1895) was an American poet, journalist, editor, and newspaper founder from the 1800s. She was born in Indiana and later moved to Washington D.C.
Emily got married in 1861. Sadly, her husband passed away in 1869, leaving her to raise two young children on her own. In 1874, she started a successful career in journalism. She began by writing for different newspapers and later became an editor.
She helped edit a book called Eminent Men of Indiana. In 1881, she became the managing editor of the Washington World newspaper. She also started and edited her own newspaper, The National Veteran, in Washington, D.C.. Emily was very involved with groups like the National Woman's Press Association. She also strongly supported women's right to vote.
She published her writings under the pen name "Emily Hawthorne." Her famous works include Hawthorne Blossoms (1876) and Lyrical Poems, Songs, Pastorals, War Poems, and Madrigals (1886). Emily Thornton Charles passed away in 1895.
Early Life and Family Background
Emily Thornton was born in Lafayette, Indiana, on March 21, 1845. Her family came from England. Her father's family, the Thorntons, were known for their original ideas. Her great-grandfather, Elisha Thornton, fought in the American Revolutionary War. Her grandfather, also named Elisha Thornton, served in the War of 1812.
Emily's father, James M. Thornton, fought in the American Civil War and died in 1864. One of her two brothers, Charles, also died in the Civil War. Her other brother, Gardner, served in Harrison's regiment.
Her mother's family, the Parkers, were early Puritans. They helped to found the town of Pepperell, Massachusetts. For over a hundred years, the Parker family members were leaders in their church choir. Emily's mother, Harriet Parker, married James M. Thornton, who was a civil engineer. They moved to Lafayette, Indiana, where Mr. Thornton started a large factory.
Emily Thornton went to public schools in Indianapolis. Even as a child, her teachers noticed her excellent writing skills. She was very good at expressing her ideas in an original way.
Career and Achievements
At the age of 16, Emily became a teacher. In 1861, she married Daniel B. Charles. He was the son of a well-known businessman in Indianapolis. When she was 24, her husband died, leaving her to care for their two young children. She was also in delicate health at the time.
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To support her family, Emily began writing in 1874. She worked as a reporter and editor for newspapers in Indianapolis. She also wrote articles for other publications. In 1876, she published her first book of poems, called Hawthorn Blossoms. This book was very popular and was a success both in literature and financially.
From 1876 to 1880, she continued her newspaper work and wrote biographies. She was an associate editor for the book Eminent Men of Indiana. In 1881, she became the managing editor of the Washington World newspaper. Later, she started her own newspaper in Washington, D.C., called The National Veteran. She was the owner and editor of this paper.
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In 1883, Emily became very ill due to overwork and had to stay in bed for a whole year. While she was recovering, she spent her time revising her newer poems. These poems were published in a 300-page book in 1886, titled Lyrical Poems, Songs, Pastorals, War Poems, and Madrigals. This book helped her become known as an important national poet.
Emily was a member of the executive committee for the National Woman's Press Association. She also led the executive council of the Society of American Authors. She mostly wrote under her birth name, "Emily Thornton," but also used the pen name "Emily Hawthorne."
She was also a successful public speaker. In 1880, when she left Indiana, the people of Indianapolis held a special event for her. She gave a brilliant speech there. In 1882, she spoke to a large audience of 1,500 former prisoners of war in Cincinnati, Ohio. She also gave a poetic speech about "Woman's Sphere" at a National Woman's Suffrage Convention. She was chosen to speak at the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893.
Emily Thornton Charles spent the last part of her life in Washington D.C. She passed away there on April 25, 1895, and was buried in Rock Creek Cemetery.
Selected Works
- Hawthorn blossoms (1876)
- Lyrical poems, songs, pastorals, roundelays, war poems, madrigals. (1886)
