Helen L. Bostwick (née, Barron; after first marriage, Bostwick; after second marriage, Bird; January 5, 1826 – December 20, 1907) was an American author and poet. Buds, Blossoms, and Berries, stories for children, was published in 1863.[1] Some of her poems are included in a volume entitled Four O'Clocks, published in 1888.[2] Nearly all of her literary work was done in Ohio, where her contemporaries included Alice Williams Brotherton and Kate Brownlee Sherwood.[3] Bird died in 1907.
Helen L. Bostwick | |
|---|---|
| Born | Helen Louisa Barron January 5, 1826 North Charlestown, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Died | December 20, 1907 (aged 81) |
| Occupation |
|
| Language | English |
| Nationality | American |
| Notable works | "How the Gates Came Ajar" |
| Spouse |
|
| Children | 2 |
Biography
editHelen Louisa Barron, a daughter of Dr. Putnam Barron,[4] was born January 5, 1826, at North Charlestown, New Hampshire, where the first twelve years of her girlhood were passed. Here she received an elementary common-school education, which was supplemented by special private tuition under Rev. Alonzo Ames Miner, of Boston.[5]
In 1838, she removed with her parents to a farm near Ravenna, Ohio, where, in 1844, at the age of eighteen, she married Edwin Bostwick; he died September 9, 1860. Their daughter, Florence, died at the age of fifteen, and daughter, Marion, died at the age of thirty.[5]
Bird began writing for the press at the age of eighteen. Nearly all of her literary work was done in Ohio, chiefly within the period of her first widowhood. For many years, she was a valued contributor to various newspapers and magazines, including The National Era, the New York Independent, the Home Monthly, The Ohio Farmer, the Ladies' Home Journal, The Saturday Evening Post, and the Atlantic Monthly. Bird's best poems, most of which were produced subsequently to the publication of Coggeshall's pioneer collection (Poets and Poetry of the West with Biographical and Critical Notices. , 1880), were contained in a volume entitled Four O'Clocks, which was issued in Philadelphia in 1888.[6] She also wrote for children.[7] "How the Gates Came Ajar" (1869) was composed by Bird, with music by Eastburn.[8]
In 1875, she married Dr. John F. Bird, and removed with him to Philadelphia, where he died January 20, 1904, and where she continued to reside during the remainder of her life. She died December 20, 1907.[5]
Selected works
editAs Helen L. Bostwick
edit- Buds, Blossoms, and Berries, 1863
- "How the Gates Came Ajar", 1869 (lyrics)
As Helen Barron Bostwick
edit- Four O'Clocks, 1888
References
edit- ^ Bostwick, Helen Louisa (1863). Buds, Blossoms, and Berries ... Follett. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ^ Randall & Ryan 1912, p. 74.
- ^ Bond, Utter & Weisenburger 1943, p. 447.
- ^ Saunderson, Henry Hamilton (1876). "Dr. Putnam Barron". History of Charlestown, New Hampshire: The Old No. 4, Embracing the Part Borne by Its Inhabitants in the Indian, French and Revolutionary Wars, and the Vermont Controversy; Also Genealogies and Sketches of Families, from Its Settlement to 1876. Claremont Manufacturing Company. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b c Venable 1909, p. 106.
- ^ Venable 1909, p. 107.
- ^ Coggeshall 1860, p. 550.
- ^ The World's Best Music: Famous Songs and Those who Made Them. University Society. 1903. p. 708. Retrieved 6 February 2022. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
Attribution
edit- This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: Coggeshall, William Turner (1860). "HELEN LOUISA BOSTWICK". The Poets and Poetry of the West: With Biographical and Critical Notices (Public domain ed.). Follett, Foster. ISBN 9780608430140.
- This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: Randall, Emilius Oviatt; Ryan, Daniel Joseph (1912). "HELEN LOUISA BOSTWICK BIRD". History of Ohio: The Rise and Progress of an American State. Vol. 5 (Public domain ed.). Century History Company.
- This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: Venable, Emerson (1909). "HELEN LOUISA BOSTWICK BIRD". Poets of Ohio: Selections Representing the Poetical Work of Ohio Authors, from the Pioneer Period to the Present Day (Public domain ed.). The Robert Clarke Company. p. 106.
Bibliography
edit- Bond, Beverley Waugh; Utter, William Thomas; Weisenburger, Francis Phelps (1943). The history of the state of Ohio. Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society.
