Madeleine Vinton Dahlgren facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Madeleine Vinton Dahlgren
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| Born | Sarah Madeleine Vinton July 13, 1825 Gallipolis, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | May 28, 1889 (aged 63) |
| Pen name | Corinne, Cornelia |
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| Language | English |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School |
| Spouse |
Daniel Convers Goddard
(m. 1846) |
| Relatives | Samuel Finley Vinton (father); John Vinton Dahlgren (son) |
Madeleine Vinton Dahlgren (born Sarah Madeleine Vinton) was an American writer and translator. She also used the pen names Corinne and Cornelia. Born on July 13, 1825, she wrote many books and articles. She was also known for her work as an anti-suffragist, meaning she was against giving women the right to vote.
Madeleine translated important works from French, Spanish, and Italian. These translations earned her praise from important people, including Pope Pius IX. She wrote a biography of her husband, Admiral John A. Dahlgren. She also wrote several novels like South-Mountain Magic and A Washington Winter. Besides books, she wrote many essays, articles, and short stories for newspapers and magazines. Sometimes, she even wrote poems.
Madeleine Dahlgren lived on South Mountain in Maryland. Her home overlooked a famous battlefield. In the 1870s, she actively spoke out against women getting the right to vote. She even created a petition for Congress, asking them not to give women this right. She was a founder and vice-president of the Literary Society of Washington. This group held its meetings at her house for six years. She also led the Ladies' Catholic Missionary Society of Washington for a time. She helped build the chapel of St. Joseph's of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on South Mountain.
Early Life and Education
Sarah Madeleine Vinton was born in Gallipolis, Ohio, on July 13, 1825. Her father was Samuel Finley Vinton, a well-known leader in Congress. Madeleine was his only daughter. Sadly, her mother and brother passed away when she was only six years old.
Madeleine went to boarding school in Philadelphia and later studied at the Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School. Her family had French roots. When she grew up, Madeleine became the hostess at her father's home in Washington, D.C..
Writing and Activism
Madeleine Dahlgren started writing for newspapers in 1859, using the pen name "Corinne." Later, she also used "Cornelia." Her first book, Idealities, came out in 1859. She became known for her translations from French, Spanish, and Italian. These translations were so good that she received special recognition, including a letter from Pope Pius IX and thanks from the Queen of Spain. Even President James A. Garfield praised her work.
Her books included a biography of her husband, Admiral Dahlgren. She also wrote novels such as South Mountain Magic, A Washington Winter, and The Lost Name. She wrote a book about Etiquette of Social Life in Washington, which was about manners in society. Madeleine was very interested in social issues and current events of her time. Her poems were even included in collections of famous poets.
Madeleine was a founder and vice-president of the Literary Society of Washington. She also served as president of the Ladies Catholic Missionary Society of Washington. In 1869, she started the Anti-Sixteenth Amendment Society. This group was against giving women the right to vote, and its first meetings were held at her home.
Family Life
In 1846, Madeleine married Daniel Convers Goddard. He worked for the U.S. Department of the Interior. Sadly, he passed away, leaving her a widow with two children: Vinton Augustine and Romaine. Romaine later married a German Baron.
In August 1865, Madeleine married Admiral John A. Dahlgren. They had three children together:
- John Vinton Dahlgren, who married Elizabeth Wharton Drexel.
- Eric Bernard Dahlgren, Sr., who married Lucy Wharton Drexel.
- Ulrica Mary Madeleine Dahlgren, who married Josiah Pierce.
Madeleine Dahlgren built a house on Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, D.C., where she lived for the rest of her life. Her country home, called Dahlgren, was on South Mountain, Maryland. It had its own chapel and overlooked the battlefield.
Madeleine Vinton Dahlgren passed away on May 28, 1889. She is buried at South Mountain.
