Sarah Hopkins Bradford facts for kids

Sarah Hopkins Bradford (born August 20, 1818 – died June 25, 1912) was an American writer and historian. She is most famous for her two important books about Harriet Tubman. Sarah Bradford also wrote many books for children.

About Sarah Bradford

Her Early Life and Family

Sarah Elizabeth Hopkins was born on August 20, 1818, in Mount Morris, New York. She was the youngest of seven children. Her father, Samuel Miles Hopkins, was a smart man who went to Yale University. He worked as a lawyer and a judge. He also served in the government as a congressman and a member of the New York State government.

In 1839, Sarah married John Melancthon Bradford, Jr., who was also a lawyer and later a judge in Albany, New York. They had six children together. Sadly, their two oldest sons died during the Civil War. Their daughter, Mary, also became a famous writer.

Writing Books for Kids

Sarah Bradford wrote her first book, Amy, the Glass-Blower's Daughter, in 1847. After that, she wrote a series of six books called the Silver Lake Series between 1852 and 1854. These books were full of poems and short stories. She used the pen name 'Cousin Cicely' for these works.

Most of her early writing was for children. She published at least seven more children's books, including both made-up stories and history books. She also wrote articles for magazines.

After her husband passed away in 1860, she opened a school for girls in Geneva, New York. Later, she lived in Europe for eight years to educate her daughters.

Books About Harriet Tubman

In 1869, Sarah Bradford wrote her first major book about Harriet Tubman. This was four years after the Civil War ended. Harriet Tubman was an amazing woman who escaped slavery. She then bravely returned many times to help other enslaved people find freedom using the Underground Railroad.

Bradford wrote the book, Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman, after talking a lot with Tubman. She wanted to help raise money for Tubman. The two women became good friends. This was the first detailed book about Harriet Tubman's life.

Sarah Bradford was one of the first white writers to write about African-American topics. Her book became very popular around the world. In 1886, she wrote a second book, Harriet Tubman, Moses of Her People, again to help Tubman. Both books are still sold today.

Later Years and Passing

Sarah Bradford lived in Geneva, New York, for many years. Later in her life, she moved to Rochester, New York. She passed away there on June 25, 1912.

Her Lasting Impact

Sarah Bradford was one of the first American women writers to focus on children's books. She wrote before other well-known authors like Louisa May Alcott. She lived at the same time as Harriet Beecher Stowe, who wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin, another famous book about African-American themes.

Many of Sarah Bradford's children's books are still available today. Her books about Harriet Tubman are still very popular. They have been printed in many different versions over the years.

Main Books She Wrote

Children's Books

• Amy, the Glass-Blower's Daughter: A True Narrative, 1847, published in Philadelphia
• Silver Lake Series (six books), from 1852–1854
  • The Budget: A Collection of Pieces in Prose and Rhyme
  • The Jumble: A Collection of Pieces in Prose and Rhyme
  • The Old Portfolio: A Collection of Pieces in Prose and Rhyme
  • Green Satchel: A Collection of Pieces in Prose and Rhyme
  • Ups and Downs: Or, Silver Lake Sketches
  • Aunt Patty's Mirror: A Collection of Pieces in Prose and Rhyme
• Lewie; Or, The Bended Twig, 1854
• The Linton Family, Or, The Fashion of this World, 1860
• Getting Well: Tales for Little Convalescents, 1866
• Grandmamma's Search, 1870, published in London

Images for kids

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  Portrait of Sarah Hopkins Bradford