Harriet Sanborn Grosvenor


Harriet Ward Sanborn Grosvenor was an early American writer, poet, and author of fifteen books.

Personal life

She was born in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire on January 22, 1823, the daughter of Thayer S. Sanborn, Deborah Ward. In 1843 married Edwin Prescott Grosvenor, M.D., of Newburyport, Massachusetts, where the couple resided after the wedding.
Harriet Grosvenor's son, Edwin A. Grosvenor, became a noted professor of history at Amherst College and her grandson, Gilbert H. Grosvenor, was the first employee and longtime President of the National Geographic Society and Editor of its magazine.

Career

Four years later, at the age of 24, she wrote My Sister Emily, published by the Massachusetts Sabbath School Society. After her husband's death in December 1856, Harriet supported her family largely by writing, which was an unusual achievement for a woman at the time. She also wrote hymns and broadsides.

Published works

Her published works include: