Susan Warner facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Susan Warner
Born	Susan Bogert Warner (1819-07-11)July 11, 1819 New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	March 17, 1885(1885-03-17) (aged 65) Highland Falls, New York, U.S.
Resting place	West Point Cemetery
Pen name	Elizabeth Wetherell
Occupation	writer
Language	English
Notable works	The Wide, Wide World
Relatives	Anna Bartlett Warner (sister)

Susan Bogert Warner (born July 11, 1819 – died March 17, 1885) was an American writer. She used the pen name Elizabeth Wetherell. Susan wrote many books, including religious stories, children's books, and works about faith. She is most famous for her novel The Wide, Wide World.

Her other well-known books include Queechy, The Hills of Shatemuck, and Melbourne House. Susan and her sister, Anna, also wrote several popular books together. These included Say and Seal and Christmas Stocking.

Early Life and Family

Susan Warner was born in New York City on July 11, 1819. Her family had deep roots in America, going back to the early settlers called Puritans. Her father, Henry Warner, was a lawyer from New York City. Her mother, Anna Bartlett, came from a wealthy family.

When Susan was young, her mother passed away. Her aunt, Fanny, then came to live with the family. Susan's father had been rich, but he lost most of his money. This happened during a financial crisis in 1837 and because of some bad investments.

Because of their money troubles, the family had to leave their large home in New York City. They moved to an old farmhouse on Constitution Island. This island is near West Point, New York. By 1849, their financial situation had not improved. So, Susan and her sister Anna decided to start writing books to earn money.

Writing Career

Susan Warner wrote about 30 novels using her pen name, "Elizabeth Wetherell." Many of her books were printed multiple times because they were so popular. Her very first novel, The Wide, Wide World, published in 1850, was her most successful.

This book was translated into many languages, including French, German, and Dutch. It was one of the most widely read American stories of its time, second only to Uncle Tom's Cabin. Other books she wrote include Queechy (1852) and The Old Helmet (1863).

In the 1800s, people admired her early novels for showing what rural American life was like. American reviewers also liked her books because they taught Christian values and good morals. Later, in the 1900s, some critics called her work "sentimental." However, in recent times, critics have looked at The Wide, Wide World again. They see it as an important story about home life and how boys and girls were expected to act.

Collaborations and Songs

Susan often wrote books with her younger sister, Anna Bartlett Warner. Anna sometimes used the pen name "Amy Lothrop." The Warner sisters also wrote famous Christian songs for children. Susan wrote the song "Jesus Bids Us Shine." Anna wrote the first part of the well-known children's song "Jesus Loves Me." She wrote it because Susan asked her to.

Both sisters became very religious in the late 1830s. They joined the Mercer Street Presbyterian church. Later in life, Susan became interested in the Methodist church. The sisters also held Bible study classes for the cadets at the West Point military academy. The cadets would sing "Jesus Loves Me" when they were on duty. The song was so popular that Susan Warner was buried in the West Point Cemetery after she died.

Susan Warner passed away in Highland Falls, New York on March 17, 1885. She is buried in the West Point Cemetery.

List of Works

See Also

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Cousin, John William (1910). A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature. London: J. M. Dent & Sons. Wikisource
•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain:  "^{article name needed}". New International Encyclopedia. (1905). 
• Anna B. Warner, Susan Warner, (New York, 1909)