Nationality American Period Twentieth century | Name Mary Dickerson Role Author | |
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Occupation author of children's books and cook books Died March 31, 1962, Chicago, Illinois, United States Books The Castle of Grumpy Grouch: A Fairy Story | ||
Mary Augusta Dickerson also known as Mary Dickerson Donahey (New York City, September 22, 1876 – March 31, 1962) was an American author of children's books and cookbooks.
Contents
Early life
Dickerson was born in New York City to Alfred James Dickerson and Nancy Augusta (Huggins) Dickerson. She graduated from the St. Mary's school in New York City as valedictorian. The school later merged with St. Garriel's School in Peekskill, New York.
Adult life
Dickerson began writing children's stories, articles and poem verses for newspapers and magazines in 1896. She was then associated with the New York Journal in 1898 as a reporter for a short time. Donahey later took on a full-time career as a special writer for The Plain Dealer that same year. Her career there extended into 1905.
Dickerson married William Donahey on August 16, 1905, becoming Mary Dickerson Donahey. She was also known as Mrs. William Donahey. They met while they both worked at the Plain Dealer. She introduced him to some traditional children's stories while they were working there, which helped to inspire him to become a comic strip writer and illustrator. He had missed out on these normal childhood stories because he was an introverted child and spent much of his childhood alone.
Clubs and societies
Dickerson was associated with or a member of the following:
Other
Dickerson, along with her husband William Donahey, owned the Pickle Barrel House in Grand Marais, Michigan. This was their summer home where they found it inspirational to write their children's books and comic strips. It is now a tourist attraction.
Works
Mary Augusta Dickerson, writing under her married name Mary Dickerson Donahey, wrote the following books:
Example of work
The Prince Without a Country, New York: Barse & Hopkins, 1916, page 71
The Adventures of a Happy Dolly, New York: Barse & Hopkins, 1914, page 11