Lady Editor!

Sarah Josepha Hale was the “mother of Thanksgiving” and the author – she’d probably say authoress – of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”. She was also the editor – she’d probably say editress – of Godey’s Lady’s Book, one of the most popular magazines in 19th century America. Hale was perhaps the most influential woman of her age. Her life proves that sometimes the most interesting people are buried under the plainest of tombstones. Hale is one of the most visited “permanent residents” at Laurel Hill Cemetery. She is a stop on nearly every tour that I lead at LHC.

A recent book, Lady Editor, by Melanie Kirkpatrick, tells Hale’s unlikely life story. Widowed at a young age, and with several children, Hale’s writing and editing eventually came to the attention of Louis Antoine Godey – also buried at Laurel Hill -- who hired Hale to edit his Lady’s Book, which published out of Philadelphia. Hale accepted Godey’s offer but initially worked from her Boston home. Eventually, she moved to Philadelphia, where she spent the rest of her long life, most of it working at Godey’s Lady’s Book.

Anyone interested in American history, especially involving publishing and women’s issues, would enjoy reading Lady Editor. One caveat though: I encountered at least three typos in this book. The editress would not be pleased!

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