Mary Augusta Dickerson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Augusta Dickerson
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | September 22, 1876 New York City |
| Died | 31 March 1962 (aged 85) Chicago, Illinois |
| Occupation | author of children's books and cook books |
| Nationality | American |
| Period | Twentieth century |
Mary Augusta Dickerson was an American author who wrote many books for kids and also cookbooks. She was born in New York City on September 22, 1876, and passed away on March 31, 1962. She was also known by her married name, Mary Dickerson Donahey.
Contents
Mary Dickerson's Early Life
Mary Dickerson was born in New York City. Her parents were Alfred James Dickerson and Nancy Augusta (Huggins) Dickerson. She was a very bright student. Mary graduated at the top of her class from St. Mary's school in New York City. This school later joined with St. Gabriel's School in Peekskill, New York.
Mary's Writing Career and Marriage
Mary Dickerson started writing stories, articles, and poems for newspapers and magazines in 1896. She worked as a reporter for the New York Journal for a short time in 1898. Later that same year, she became a full-time writer for The Plain Dealer newspaper. She worked there until 1905.
On August 16, 1905, Mary Dickerson married William Donahey. After they married, she became known as Mary Dickerson Donahey. She was also called Mrs. William Donahey. Mary and William met while they were both working at the Plain Dealer.
Mary introduced William to many classic children's stories. This inspired him to become a famous comic strip writer and illustrator. William had missed out on these stories as a child because he was very shy and spent a lot of time alone.
Clubs and Special Groups
Mary Dickerson Donahey was a part of several interesting clubs and groups. These groups often involved writers and creative people. She was even the president of the Illinois Woman's Press Association from 1925 to 1927.
She was also a member of:
- Society of Midland Authors
- Cleveland Writers Club
- Writers Guild
- Episcopalian
- Club Matrix
- A lecturer (someone who gives talks)
The Pickle Barrel House
Mary Dickerson Donahey and her husband, William, owned a very special summer home. It was called the Pickle Barrel House and was located in Grand Marais, Michigan. This unique house looked just like two giant pickle barrels!
They found this home to be a great place to get ideas for their children's books and comic strips. Today, the Pickle Barrel House is a popular place for tourists to visit.
Mary Dickerson's Books
Mary Augusta Dickerson wrote many books, especially for children. She used her married name, Mary Dickerson Donahey, for most of her published works.
Here are some of the books she wrote:
- The Wonderful Wishes of Jacky and Jean (1905)
- The Castle of Grumpy Grouch a Fairy Story (1908)
- Mysterious Mansions (1909)
- Down Spider Web Lane: A Fairy Tale (1909)
- Through the Little Green Door (1910)
- The Adventures of a Happy Doll (1914)
- Peter And Prue (1914)
- The Magical House of Zur (1914)
- The Prince Without a Country (1916)
- Lady Teddy Comes to Town (1919)
- The Talking Bird and Wonderful Wishes of Jacky and Jean (1920)
- The Teenie Weenie Man's Mother Goose (1921)
- The Calorie Cook Book Menus for Reducing, for Upbuilding, for Maintenance (1923)
- The Calorie Cook Book (1923)
- Peter and Prue (1924)
- Best Tales for Children (1924)
- Cupboard Love: My Book of Recipes (1929)
- The Tavern of Folly (1930)
- The Cooking Pots of Grand Marais (1930; reprint edition 1976)
- The Spanish McQuades, the Lost Treasure of Zavala (1931)
- Mary Lu (1937)
- Apple Pie Inn (1942)
- The Castle of Grumpy Grouch (1948)
- Mystery in the Pines (1950)
Examples of Her Writing
Here are some short parts from two of Mary Dickerson Donahey's books. They show her style of writing for children.
From The Prince Without a Country
This quote is from page 71 of The Prince Without a Country, published in 1916:
He wasn't awkawrd anymore, or rough coated, or puppyish. In the twinkling of an eye he had changed into a big fine French poodle with a clipped body, a shaggy, lion head, a tasseled tail, and silky bracelets of black hair about his slender legs.
From The Adventures of a Happy Dolly
This quote is from page 11 of The Adventures of a Happy Dolly, published in 1914:
But none of the other dolls was any wiser than I. Not so wise, for the doll next me, a silly, black-haired thing in yellow, was frightened and cried and started a baby doll crying too. It was pretty dreadful for a while, and what I would have done to quiet the foolish things I can't guess, if I'd had to do it all alone.
But there were two funny, plucky little Jap dollies there too, and they laughed at the baby doll and the black-haired one, while I comforted them and so we got them quiet at last.
"There's no use getting frightened till you're sure you're going to be hurt. Then don't cry. Just think of a way out," I told them. And the boy Jap stood up in his funny little red dressing-gown sort of suit and made me a stiff bow.
"Those words are bravest I have heard from any doll in this so honorable country," he said. "Honorable Miss, you are wise as you are beautiful." Then he made me another bow, and the black-haired doll got so angry she forgot to be frightened and we had no more trouble with her. She didn't even join in when we talked together. And we did have such funny, interesting talks, that queer, dear little Japanese boy and I!
- Who was who in America with World Notables, p. 256, Marquis — Who's Who, Volume IV (1961–1968), Library of Congress Card Number 43-3789.
