Mary Catherine Crowley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Catherine Crowley
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| Born | Mary Catherine Crowley November 28, 1856 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | May 4, 1920 (aged 63) |
| Pen name | Janet Grant |
| Occupation | author |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | American |
| Genre | poetry, prose, novels, juvenile literature |
| Subject | history of Detroit |
| Relatives | Lochiel |
Mary Catherine Crowley (who also wrote as Janet Grant) was an American author. She was born on November 28, 1856, and passed away on May 4, 1920. Mary wrote many poems and novels. She was also a talented musician and could speak several languages.
Mary started writing in 1877. Her poems and short stories appeared in popular magazines. These included Wide Awake, St. Nicholas Magazine, and Ladies' Home Journal. In 1892, she traveled to Europe. After returning, she lived in Detroit for ten years. There, she helped write the city's "Memorial History." Mary was an expert on Detroit's early history. She played a big part in its 200th birthday celebration in 1901. The celebration's parade was based on her book, A Daughter of New France.
Later in her life, Mary lived in New York City. From 1907, she edited Catholic Missions Magazine. She also edited the Annals of the Propagation of the Faith. Mary gave many talks about art and books. She wrote several novels, including Merry Hearts and True (1889) and A Daughter of New France (1901).
Early Life and Education
Mary Catherine Crowley was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Her birthday was November 28, 1856. Her father, John Colman Crowley, went to Harvard University. Her mother, Mary Jane Cameron, studied at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Manhattanville, New York.
Mary's grandfather, Daniel Crowley, was one of the first Catholics in Boston. On her mother's side, Mary was a direct descendant of Lochiel. He was a Catholic chief in Scotland. Mary went to school with the Sisters of Notre Dame. She also graduated from the Academy of the Sacred Heart.
Writing Career and Historical Work
In the early 1880s, Mary and her parents moved to Detroit, Michigan. Mary wrote for many Catholic magazines. These included Fr. Russell's Magazine and The Ave Maria. She also wrote for magazines for young people. These were St. Nicholas Magazine and The Youth's Companion. For older readers, she wrote for Boston Globe. She used the pen name "Janet Grant" there.
From 1907, Mary edited the Catholic Mission Magazine. She also edited The Annals of the Propagation of the Faith. Mary was well-known for her books for young people. She was one of the historians for the "Memorial History of Detroit." People saw her as an expert on the city's early days. She suggested putting up a special tablet for Marie-Therese Guyon. Marie-Therese was known as "Mme. Cadillac," the first white woman in the Northwest.
Mary lived in Detroit for almost ten years. During this time, she learned a lot about the region's early history. She met old French families and read old stories. From these, she gathered ideas for her first historical novel. This book was called The Heroine of the Strait. It was a romantic story about Detroit during the time of Pontiac. Pontiac was an important leader of the Ottawas.
Mary's research and imagination shone in her book. She described Pontiac's plan and the siege of Detroit. Native Americans under his command attacked the city. Mary also included many details about daily life for the French people. The book had exciting moments and interesting conversations. It was published by Little, Brown and Company in Boston. Mary Catherine Crowley passed away in New York on May 4, 1920.
Selected Books
- 1889, Happy-go-lucky and other stories
- 1889, Merry hearts and true : stories from life
- 1890, An every-day girl
- 1892, Tramp and trinkets abroad, and other stories
- 1894, The City of Wonders : a souvenir of the Worlds̓ Fair
- 1898, The child crusaders, and other stories
- 1901, A daughter of New France. With some account of the gallant Sieur Cadillac and his colony on the Detroit.
- 1902, The heroine of the Strait; a romance of Detroit in the time of Pontiac
- 1903, Love thrives in war; a romance of the frontier in 1812
- 1906, In treaty with honor : a romance of old Quebec
