Emma Howard Wight facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Emma Howard Wight
"A Woman of the Century"
Born	(1863-08-25)August 25, 1863 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Died	June 24, 1935(1935-06-24) (aged 71) Winchester, Virginia, U.S.
Occupation	author; newspaper correspondent
Alma mater	Academy of Visitation, Baltimore
Partner	Bertha von Hillern
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Emma Howard Wight (born August 25, 1863 – died June 24, 1935) was an American writer and newspaper reporter. After finishing school, she enjoyed writing for fun. Her friend, Bertha von Hillern, encouraged Emma to share her stories with the world. Emma's articles were published in many newspapers and were very popular. She also wrote many articles about religion that got a lot of attention. Besides articles, she wrote novels that were published in parts, like a series.

Early Life and Education

Emma Howard Wight was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on August 25, 1863. She was the only daughter of Jacob Howard Wight, who worked as a tobacco broker. Her family came from England, with her father's ancestors arriving with Lord Baltimore. Her grandmother was a Miss Howard. Her mother's family also came from an old Maryland family. Emma had at least one brother, William M. Wight.

Emma went to school at the Academy of Visitation in Baltimore. From a young age, she showed a natural talent for writing. Her school essays and stories always received high praise.

Writing Career and Adventures

After school, Emma spent some years involved in social activities. She still wrote for fun sometimes. Eventually, her friends suggested she try to get her writing published. Her stories were quickly accepted, and her work appeared in many well-known newspapers. Some of her articles about religious topics were even praised by Cardinal James Gibbons. These articles were also copied and shared in major English newspapers.

In October 1889, Emma and her friend Bertha von Hillern visited Roanoke, Virginia. They planned to explore the Blue Ridge Mountains. Bertha wanted to sketch, and Emma wanted to find ideas for a new novel. Later, they returned to Bertha's summer art studio in Fishers Hill, Virginia.

Emma Howard Wight's novel Passion Flowers and the Cross was published in 1891.

Emma's novel, Passion Flowers and the Cross, came out in 1891. It became very popular in the world of books. The next year, she published The Soul of Edmund Jaffray, an emotionalism in 1 act, which was a short play.

In October 1910, Emma sold the rights to her short play, Like No Other Love, to Adelaide Klein. Adelaide planned to produce the play in a Chicago theater. In December of that same year, the home Emma and Bertha shared caught fire. They lost many valuable items, including rare paintings and jewelry. Their dog, a Scotch collie, had warned them about similar fire attempts before. Sadly, the dog was poisoned a few days earlier. Emma believed that some people wanted them to leave their home in Middletown, Virginia.

Emma was also involved in the women's suffrage movement in Virginia. This movement helped women gain the right to vote in 1920. She enjoyed outdoor activities and was a big supporter of health and beauty.

Later Life and Passing

For many years, Emma lived and wrote in Winchester, Virginia. She passed away there on June 24, 1935. A couple of years before her death, during the Great Depression, Emma and Bertha had moved to a community farm where people could live and receive support. Emma was buried at the Mount Hebron Cemetery and Gatehouse.

Selected Works

The cover of Passion Flowers and the Cross, 1891.

• Passion flowers and the cross. A novel, 1891
• The Soul of Edmund Jaffray, an emotionalism in 1 act, 1892
• My husband, 1893
• A loveless marriage, 1894
• The little maid of Israel , 1900
• The Berkleys, 1900
• Like No Other Love, 1910