Mary H. Gray Clarke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary H. Gray Clarke
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"A Woman of the Century"
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| Born | Mary Hannah Gray Bristol, Rhode Island |
| Died | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| Pen name | Nina Gray Clarke |
| Occupation | author, correspondent, poet |
| Education | Miss Easterbrook's school for young ladies; East Greenwich Academy |
| Partner | Dr. Augustus Peck Clarke |
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Mary Hannah Gray Clarke (born Gray; pen name Nina Gray Clarke; March 28, 1835 – May 30 or 31, 1892) was an American writer, reporter, and poet from Rhode Island. She wrote many articles for magazines and newspapers. She also created dramas, poems, operettas, and stories for young people. Some of her well-known works include "Just Like Cinderella" and "Jack Frost's Visit to the Fairies."
Early Life and Education
Mary Hannah Gray was born in Bristol, Rhode Island, on March 28, 1835. Her parents were Gideon Gray and Hannah Orne Metcalf Gray. Her family had a long history in America. They were direct descendants of Edward Gray, who came from England in 1643. Edward Gray was known as a very rich merchant in Plymouth.
Mary grew up on her father's farm. This land was once part of the Mount Hope area. It was originally obtained from King Philip, a chief of the Wampanoag.
Mary went to schools in Bristol, Rhode Island. This included Miss Easterbrook's school for young ladies. She also studied at East Greenwich Academy. After her schooling, she moved to Boston. There, she spent time studying fine art, such as painting, poetry, and music.
Her Writing Career
Mary showed a strong talent for writing stories and poems from a young age. She wrote a lot for different magazines and newspapers. She also created many dramas, lyric poems, and operettas. Besides these, she wrote stories for young readers and essays. She used several pen names, but was most known as "Nina Gray Clarke."
Some of her famous works include:
- "Effie, Fairy Queen of Dolls" (which won an award from The Cambridge Tribune in 1880)
- "Prince Pussin-Boots"
- "Golden Hair and her Knight of the Beanstalk in the Enchanted Forest"
- "Obed Owler and the Prize Writers"
- "How I Came to Leave Town and What Came of It"
- "Edith Morton, the Sensible Young Lady"
- "The Story that the Willow Basket Told to Faith Fairchild"
- "English Lyrics"
- "Home"
She also wrote several songs. These include "Were it not for Dreams," "Twittering Swallow," and "Robin, Robin, Bold and Free."
Personal Life and Travels
On October 23, 1861, Mary married Dr. Augustus Peck Clarke. During the American Civil War, her husband served as a surgeon. Mary was very active in supporting the Union cause. In 1865, Mary and her husband moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Mary was also a talented painter. She created many pictures using both watercolors and oils. Some of her paintings were highly praised by art experts.
She loved to travel and explore new places. In 1890, she went with her husband to Berlin, Germany. She also took long trips with her family through the British Isles. They visited many countries in central and southern Europe. These trips were for learning and to experience different cultures.
Mary H. Gray Clarke passed away in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 30 or 31, 1892.
Selected Works
- "Effie, Fairy Queen of Dolls"
- "Prince Puss in Boots"
- "Golden Hair and her Knight of the Beanstalk in the Enchanted Forest"
- "Obed Owler and the Prize Writers"
- "How I Came to Leave Town and What Came of it"
- "Edith Morton, the Sensible Young Lady"
