Harriet Mabel Spalding

Harriet Mabel Spalding
BornJanuary 10, 1862
DiedAugust 14, 1935(1935-08-14) (aged 73)
Resting placeAlbany Rural Cemetery, Menands, New York, U.S.
Occupationpoet, litterateur
LanguageEnglish
Alma materAlbany Female Academy

Harriet Mabel Spalding (January 10, 1862 – August 14, 1935) was an American poet and litterateur from New York.[1] She began writing verses at the age of nine and was educated at the Albany Female Academy, where she was a distinguished student. Spalding's work was widely published and copied. She was the author of a volume of poetry.

Early life and education

Harriet Mabel Spalding was born in Gloversville, New York, January 10, 1862. She was the daughter of Rev. N. G. Spalding, a prominent clergyman in the Troy conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her parents possessed literary talents. Her father was a graduate of Union College, and a brilliant orator. Her mother, Harriet Dorr, was a graduate of Mrs. Willard's Troy Seminary, and an artist of merit.[2] Harriet had three siblings: Dorr Spalding, Dr. Warren Clyde Spalding, and Nathaniel Bull Spalding.[3]

Harriet inherited the talents of both parents. In 1868, the family removed to Schodack Landing, New York. Harriet was carefully and liberally educated.[2] In 1877, she was graduated in the [Albany Female Academy, where she won six gold medals offered by the alumni in various branches of composition.[4]

Career

She began to write verses at the age of nine years. She wrote much and her work was widely copied.[4] Spalding was the author of a volume of poems.[1]

She became well known in the highest circles of art and literature in Albany, New York, Chicago, and New York City.[3]

She died August 14, 1935, in Schenectady, New York, and was buried at Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands, New York.

Style and themes

Her sonnets were characterized by a critic as among the finest in the English language. One sonnet in particular, "The Singers", was noted for its power.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b Herringshaw 1914, p. 875.
  2. ^ a b Willard & Livermore 1893, p. 671.
  3. ^ a b Raymond 1907, p. 129.
  4. ^ a b Willard & Livermore 1893, p. 672.
  5. ^ "MRS. SUSAN MARR SPALDING.; The Authoritative Author of a Much- Claimed Bit of Verse" (Public domain ed.). The New York Times. 24 August 1894. Retrieved 27 July 2018.

Attribution

  • Works related to Woman of the Century/Harriet Mabel Spalding at Wikisource
  • Works by or about Harriet Mabel Spalding at the Internet Archive