Martha Finley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Martha Finley
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"A woman of the century"
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| Born | April 26, 1828 Chillicothe, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | January 30, 1909 (aged 80) Elkton, Maryland, U.S. |
| Pen name | Martha Farquharson |
| Occupation | teacher, author |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | American |
| Notable works | Elsie Dinsmore series; Mildred Keith series |
| Relatives | Samuel Finley |
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Martha Finley (born April 26, 1828 – died January 30, 1909) was a popular American writer and teacher. She wrote many books for young people. Her most famous works are the 28 books in the Elsie Dinsmore series. These books were published over 38 years!
Martha Finley also used the pen name (a fake name used by a writer) Martha Farquharson. Her books often shared strong religious messages. She was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, and passed away in Elkton, Maryland.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Martha Finley was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, on April 26, 1828. Her father, Dr. James B. Finley, was the oldest son of General Samuel Finley. General Samuel Finley was an officer in the American Revolution. He was a major in the Virginia cavalry and later a general in the Ohio militia.
Martha's family, the Finleys and Browns, came from Scotland and Ireland. They had a long history, and their clan name was Farquharson. This is why Martha chose "Martha Farquharson" as her pen name.
Her family had many important people. Five of her great-uncles fought in the American Revolutionary War. Two of them even worked for George Washington! One of her great-uncles, Dr. Samuel Finley, was an early president of Princeton University.
Writing Career
Martha Finley started her writing career in 1853. She wrote a story for a newspaper and a small book. Many of her first stories were for the children's sections of Sunday-school papers.
At first, she wrote without using her real name. But her stories became so popular that her publishers asked her to use a name. Since her family didn't want her to use her own name, she chose "Martha Farquharson."
Between 1856 and 1870, she wrote more than 20 Sunday school books. She also wrote several series for young people. These included Casella (1869), Old Fashioned Boy (1871), and Our Fred (1874).
She became very famous for her "Elsie" and "Mildred" book series. These books were loved by many young readers. Martha Finley also wrote three novels for adults. These were Wanted—A Pedigree (1879), Signing the Contract (1879), and Thorn in the Nest (1886).
Life in Elkton
Martha Finley lived in a cottage she built in Elkton, Maryland. She was a very civic-minded person. In 1892, she even became a member of the Singerly Fire Company, which was the town's fire department!
She was given stock certificate 33, which meant she had full membership rights. While she likely helped the fire department with money, she was the only woman listed as a member until the 1970s. This shows she was a progressive and helpful person in her community.
Popular Book Series
Martha Finley wrote many books, but her most famous ones are part of the "Elsie Dinsmore" and "Mildred Keith" series.
Elsie Dinsmore Series
- Elsie Dinsmore (1867) – online
- Elsie's Holidays at Roselands (1868) – online
- Elsie's Girlhood (1872) – online
- Elsie's Womanhood (1875) – online
- Elsie's Motherhood (1876) – online
- Elsie's Children (1877) – online
- Elsie's Widowhood (1880)
- Grandmother Elsie (1882) – online
- Elsie's New Relations (1883) – online
- Elsie at Nantucket (1884) – online
- The Two Elsies (1885) – online
- Elsie's Kith and Kin (1886) – online
- Elsie's Friends at Woodburn (1887)
- Christmas with Grandma Elsie (1888) – online
- Elsie and the Raymonds (1889)
- Elsie Yachting with the Raymonds (1890)
- Elsie's Vacation (1891) – online
- Elsie at Viamede (1892)
- Elsie at Ion (1893)
- Elsie at the World's Fair (1894) – online
- Elsie's Journey on Inland Waters (1895)
- Elsie at Home (1897) – online
- Elsie on the Hudson (1898)
- Elsie in the South (1899)
- Elsie's Young Folks in Peace and War (1900)
- Elsie's Winter Trip (1902)
- Elsie and Her Loved Ones (1903)
- Elsie and Her Namesakes (1905)
Mildred Keith Series
- Mildred Keith (1876) – online
- Mildred at Roselands (1880) – online
- Mildred and Elsie (1881)
- Mildred's Married Life, and a Winter with Elsie Dinsmore (1882)
- Mildred at Home: With Something about her Relatives and Friends (1884)
- Mildred's Boys and Girls (1886)
- Mildred's New Daughter (1894)
Images for kids
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Martha Finley's signature
