Mary Ashley Townsend
Encyclopedia
Mary Ashley Townsend was an American
poet
and writer
.
She was born in Lyons, New York
in 1836(some sources say 1832) Her maiden name was Van Voorhis. She was educated in her native town and married Gideon Townsend, of New Orleans, Louisiana
.
She began to write for publication about 1856, and under the pen-name of "Xariffa" made a reputation as the author of "Quillotypes," a series of humorous papers that appeared in the New Orleans "Delta" and were widely copied by the southern and western press. Her other works are "The Brother Clerks" (New York, 1859); "Poems" (Philadelphia, 1870); "The Captain's Story" (1874); and "Down the Bayou, and other Poems" (Boston, 1884). Her most important short poems are "Creed," which was copied in newspapers in England as well as the US "A Woman's Wish," "The Bather," and "The Wind."
She was officially appointed to deliver the poem on the opening of the New Orleans exposition in 1884
, and that at the unveiling of the statue of General Albert Sidney Johnston
in 1887.
She was the first American invited to join the "Liceo Hidalgo," a prestigious Mexican literary club.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
.
She was born in Lyons, New York
Lyons, New York
Lyons, New York may refer to either of two places in Wayne County, New York, USA:* Lyons , New York* Lyons , New York...
in 1836(some sources say 1832) Her maiden name was Van Voorhis. She was educated in her native town and married Gideon Townsend, of New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
.
She began to write for publication about 1856, and under the pen-name of "Xariffa" made a reputation as the author of "Quillotypes," a series of humorous papers that appeared in the New Orleans "Delta" and were widely copied by the southern and western press. Her other works are "The Brother Clerks" (New York, 1859); "Poems" (Philadelphia, 1870); "The Captain's Story" (1874); and "Down the Bayou, and other Poems" (Boston, 1884). Her most important short poems are "Creed," which was copied in newspapers in England as well as the US "A Woman's Wish," "The Bather," and "The Wind."
She was officially appointed to deliver the poem on the opening of the New Orleans exposition in 1884
World Cotton Centennial
The 1884 World's Fair was held in New Orleans, Louisiana. At a time when nearly one third of all cotton produced in the United States was handled in New Orleans and the city was home to the Cotton Exchange, the idea for the fair was first advanced by the Cotton Planters Association...
, and that at the unveiling of the statue of General Albert Sidney Johnston
Albert Sidney Johnston
Albert Sidney Johnston served as a general in three different armies: the Texas Army, the United States Army, and the Confederate States Army...
in 1887.
She was the first American invited to join the "Liceo Hidalgo," a prestigious Mexican literary club.