Sarah Josepha (Buell) Hale

Sarah Josepha (Buell) Hale 1788-1879, American author, editor, and feminist, b. near Newport, N.H. In 1828 she became editor of the Ladies' Magazine, Boston, and in 1837 of Godey's Lady's Book, Philadelphia, where she remained over 40 years. The illustrated Lady's Book strongly influenced fashions and manners of her day. Mrs. Hale cultivated female authors and constantly urged the higher education of women. She also advocated a national Thanksgiving holiday. Her poem "Mary Had a Little Lamb" was published in her Poems for Our Children (1830).

Bibliography: See O. W. Burt, First Woman Editor (1960).

Hale, Sarah Josepha [Buell] (1788–1879), is celebrated as the author of “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” published in Poems for Our Children (1830). In addition to her work in behalf of child welfare, feminine education, and other humanitarian movements, she edited the Boston Ladies' Magazine (1828–37), Godey's Lady's Book (1837–77), and various compilations, and wrote many works typical of Victorian feminine productions, including plays, further volumes of poetry, the antislavery Northwood: A Tale of New England (1827) and other novels, Sketches of American Character (1829) and other short stories, and Woman's Record (1854), a history of distinguished women.