Eugenia Dunlap Potts (April 14, 1840 - February 29, 1912) was a writer in Lancaster, Kentucky.[1][2][3] She owned and edited the Illustrated Kentuckian. She wrote poetry and historical works. Potts was recognized by the State of Kentucky for her contributions as a Kentucky author with a plaque outside the site of her former home.[4]

Eugenia Dunlap Potts
Eugenia Dunlap Potts in the late 19th-century.
Eugenia Dunlap Potts in the late 19th-century.
Born(1840-04-14)14 April 1840
Lancaster, Kentucky, U.S.
DiedFebruary 29, 1912(1912-02-29) (aged 71)
Fayette County, Kentucky, U.S.
Resting placeLancaster Cemetery, Lancaster, Kentucky
OccupationPoet
LanguageEnglish
GenrePoetry
SpouseRichard Potts
ChildrenGeorge Dunlap Potts
ParentsGeorge W. Dunlap
Nancy (Nannie) E. Jennings

Early life and education

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Potts was born in Lancaster, Kentucky, the daughter of lawyer and statesman George W. Dunlap and Nancy (Nannie) E. Jennings.[4] She graduated from the Franklin Female Institute in Lancaster.[4] She also attended a finishing school in Philadelphia, where she studied music and French.[4]

Career

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Her "Song of Lancaster" was described as a "metrical history after the style of Hiawatha". Longfellow corresponded with her approvingly about it. She also wrote the essay "Women's Work in Kentucky".[5]

In May 1892, Potts joined a new monthly publication focused on "literature, education and art", called the Illustrated Kentuckian.[6][7] The paper was managed by a journalist from New York, Ben La Bree;[6] Potts joined the editorial staff,[4][6] and was responsible for the "belles lettres and social features".[6] The paper was eventually.relocated to Louisville and became the Illustrated South.[8]

Personal life

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Potts was a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.[9] She served as a state officer for its Kentucky branch, and as a delegate from its Lexington chapter to the seventh annual convention of the organisation in 1900.[9] She was a member of the Episcopal Church.

She married Major Richard Potts, a surgeon who served in first the U.S. Army and then in the Confederate Army.[4][9] They had one son, named George Dunlap Potts, who was born in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1865.[4][9] She became a widow.[10]

Bibliography

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  • Historic Papers on the Causes of the Civil War
  • Song of Lancaster, Kentucky; To the statesmen, soldiers, and citizens of Garrard county (1874)
  • Idle hour stories / Stories for Children (1909)
  • The old South (1909)
  • A collection of four papers, The old South, Slavery, Secession, The Southern Confederacy
  • A Kentucky girl in Dixie: a diary
  • Journal of the daily life, travels and war-time experiences of the author, wife of a surgeon in the Confederate army
  • Historic homes of Lancaster, Kentucky[11]

References

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  1. ^ Smith, Zachariah Frederick (December 5, 1892). "The History of Kentucky: From Its Earliest Discovery and Settlement, to the Present Date ... Its Military Events and Achievements, and Biographic Mention of Its Historic Characters". Courier-journal job printing Company – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "The Filson Club History Quarterly". Filson Club. December 5, 1961 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ Gallagher, William Davis (December 5, 1892). Four Score and One, in Blades O' Bluegrass: Choiceselections of Kentucky Poetry, Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Authors. Chadwyck-Healey Incorporated. ISBN 978-0-7222-4930-7 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Brown, Richard C. (23 February 2003). "Dunlap was a Lancaster author". The Advocate-Messenger. Danville, Kentucky. p. 32. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  5. ^ Eagle, Mary Kavanaugh Oldham (December 5, 1895). "The Congress of Women Held in the Woman's Building: World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, U.S.A., 1893". International Publishing Company – via Google Books.
  6. ^ a b c d Fitzhugh, Daisy (17 April 1892). "In a Whirl". The Daily Leader. Lexington, Kentucky. p. 3. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  7. ^ "Prominent People". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery, Alabama. 16 March 1893. p. 4. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  8. ^ Fourth Estate: A Weekly Newspaper for Publishers, Advertisers, Advertising Agents and Allied Interests. Fourth Estate Publishing Company. 1900. p. 38.
  9. ^ a b c d "Notes of the Convention". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery, Alabama. 15 November 1900. p. 2. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  10. ^ "Eugenia Dunlap Potts". www.goodreads.com.
  11. ^ "Potts, Eugenia Dunlap [WorldCat Identities]".