Fanny Purdy Palmer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fanny Purdy Palmer
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"A Woman of the Century"
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| Born | Mary Francis Purdy July 11, 1839 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | 1923 |
| Resting place | Woodstock Hill Cemetery, Woodstock, New York, U.S. |
| Pen name | Florio |
| Nickname | Fanny; Fannie |
| Occupation | author, poet, journalist, lecturer, social activist, clubwoman |
| Alma mater | Convent of the Sacred Heart Packer Collegiate Institute |
| Notable awards | Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame |
| Spouse | William H. Palmer (m. 1862) |
| Children | 2 |
Fanny Purdy Palmer (born Mary Francis Purdy; pen name, Florio; July 11, 1839 – 1923) was an American writer, poet, and journalist. She was also a speaker, a social activist, and a leader in women's clubs. Fanny helped start the General Federation of Women's Clubs in 1876. She was president of the Rhode Island Woman's Club and served on the school committee in Providence, Rhode Island. She was involved in many groups that worked for good causes, including women's right to vote. Fanny wrote many stories for magazines and newspapers that explored life's challenges.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Mary Francis Purdy, known as "Fanny" or "Fannie," was born in New York City, New York, on July 11, 1839. She was the only child of Henry and Mary Catherine Sharp Purdy. Her family had roots in early American history.
Fanny received a good education. She attended the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Eggertsville, near Buffalo, New York. Later, she studied at the Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn, New York.
Her Amazing Career
Fanny Purdy Palmer showed her talent for writing early on. She wrote for magazines like the Home Journal, Putnam's Magazine, and Peterson's Magazine. She often used the pen name "Florio."
Writing and Journalism
On October 7, 1862, Fanny married Dr. William H. Palmer. He was a surgeon in the 3rd New York Cavalry Regiment during the American Civil War. Fanny traveled with him during the war. For four years, she continued her writing. She wrote short stories and poems for Harper's magazines and The Galaxy. She also sent letters to various newspapers from North Carolina and Virginia.
After the war, in 1867, Dr. and Mrs. Palmer moved to Providence, Rhode Island. Fanny continued her writing career. She also worked regularly for one or two weekly newspapers.
Fanny wrote several books. These included a collection of short stories called A Dead Level and Other Episodes (1892). She also wrote A List of Rhode Island Literary Women (1893), California and Other Sonnets (1909), and Dates and Days in Europe By an American resident in London (1915). After she passed away, her daughter, Henrietta, published Outpost Message by Fanny Purdy Palmer With a Biographical Sketch by Her Daughter (1924).
Helping Her Community
Fanny was very involved in helping her community and advancing women's rights. From 1876 to 1884, she was a member of the Providence school committee. For several years, she served as secretary of the Rhode Island Woman Suffrage Association, which worked for women's right to vote.
She was president of the Woman's Educational and Industrial Union from 1891 to 1892. From 1884 to 1894, she led the Rhode Island Women's Club as its president. In 1895, she was chosen as an auditor for the General Federation of Women's Clubs. This large organization included hundreds of women's clubs across the U.S.
Fanny also had a strong interest in education. She gave a series of "Familiar Talks on American History" to help people learn more about their country's past. She was also a manager of the Providence Free Kindergarten Association. She worked to help women gain access to educational opportunities at Brown University.
In 1895, Fanny was appointed as a factory inspector for Rhode Island. She held this position for three years. During this time, she focused on making sure children under 14 attended school, as required by law.
Personal Life
Fanny Purdy Palmer and her husband, William H. Palmer, had two children: a son and a daughter named Henrietta. Henrietta later studied at Bryn Mawr College.
By 1902, Fanny lived in La Jolla, California, where she owned a home. However, she spent a lot of her time traveling abroad.
Death and Legacy
Fanny Purdy Palmer passed away in 1923. Her daughter, Henrietta, published her book Outpost Message by Fanny Purdy Palmer With a Biographical Sketch by Her Daughter in 1924.
Fanny left US$5,000 to the City of Providence to be used for hospital purposes. This gift was made in memory of her late husband, Dr. William H. Palmer.
Awards and Honors
In 2020, Fanny Purdy Palmer was honored for her contributions. She was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.
Selected Works
- A List of Rhode Island Literary Women, (1726-1892,) With Some Account of Their Work., 1893
- California and Other Sonnets, 1909
- Dates and Days in Europe By an American resident in London, 1915
- Outpost Message by Fanny Purdy Palmer With a Biographical Sketch by Her Daughter, 1924
Images for kids
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Outpost Message by Fanny Purdy Palmer With a Biographical Sketch by Her Daughter, 1924
