Citizendia

Frances Sargent Osgood

Osgood in an 1848 anthology
Born June 18, 1811
Boston, Massachusetts
Died May 12, 1850

Frances Sargent Osgood (née Locke) (June 18, 1811 – May 12, 1850) was an American poet and one of the most popular women writers during her time. Events 618 - Coronation of the Chinese governor Li Yuan as Emperor Gaozu of Tang, the new Emperor of China, initiating three centuries Year 1811 ( MDCCCXI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Events 1191 - Richard I of England marries Berengaria of Navarre. For the game see 1850 (board game. 1850 ( MDCCCL) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link Events 618 - Coronation of the Chinese governor Li Yuan as Emperor Gaozu of Tang, the new Emperor of China, initiating three centuries Year 1811 ( MDCCCXI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Events 1191 - Richard I of England marries Berengaria of Navarre. For the game see 1850 (board game. 1850 ( MDCCCL) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link The United States of America —commonly referred to as the [1] Nicknamed "Fanny," she was also famous for her exchange of romantic poems with Edgar Allan Poe. Edgar Allan Poe (January 19 1809 – October 7 1849 was an American poet, short-story Writer, editor and Literary critic,

Contents

Life

Early life

Frances Sargent Locke was born in Boston, Massachusetts to Joseph Locke, a wealthy merchant, and his second wife Mary Ingersoll Foster. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. Her father's first wife, Martha Ingersoll was the sister of Mary his second wife. Mary was also the widow of Benjamin Foster by whom she had two children: William Vincent Foster and Anna Maria Wells, who would also become a published poet and close associate of Frances. Joseph and Mary had seven children. Including another writer Andrew Aitchison Locke. As a young woman she attended the prestigious Boston Lyceum for Young Ladies. [2] Her poetry was first published in 1826 in a bimonthly periodical of children's poetry called Juvenile Miscellany by editor Lydia Maria Child. Lydia Maria Child ( February 11 1802 &ndash July 7 1880) was an American Abolitionist, Women's rights activist

Marriage

Osgood's daughters
Osgood's daughters

In 1834, while composing poems inspired by paintings, Frances met Samuel Stillman Osgood, a young portrait artist at the Boston Athenaeum. Samuel Stillman Osgood ( June 9, 1808 &ndash 1885) was a 19th century American portrait painter Boston Athenæum is an independent Library and Museum in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. He asked her to sit for a portrait. They were engaged before the portrait was finished and married on October 7, 1835. Events 3761 BC - The epoch (origin of the modern Hebrew calendar ( Proleptic Julian calendar) Year 1835 ( MDCCCXXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common [3]

After their marriage, the couple moved to England. On July 15, 1836, their first daughter was born, Ellen Frances. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Christian soldiers take the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem after the final Year 1836 ( MDCCCXXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap In 1838, while in England, she published her collection of poems A Wreath of Flowers from New England [4] which included Elfrida, a dramatic poem in five acts. She then published another volume of poetry, The Casket of Fate.

Due to her father's death, the Osgoods returned to Boston in 1839. After the birth of their second daughter, May Vincent, on July 21, 1839, they moved to New York City. Events 356 BC - Herostratus sets fire to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World Year 1839 ( MDCCCXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common The City of New York Osgood became a popular member of the New York literary society and a prolific writer. Many of her writings were published in the widely popular literary magazines of the time. She sometimes wrote under pseudonyms "Kate Carol" or "Violet Vane". A pseudonym is a fictitious alternative to a person's legal name (see Alias) [5] Her book, The Poetry of Flowers and the Flowers of Poetry was published in 1841. Some of her other published works were The Snowdrop, a New Year Gift for Children (1842), Rose, Sketches in Verse (1842), Puss in Boots (1842), the Marquis of Carabas (1844), and Cries in New York (1846). [6]

Although she was successful in her professional life, her personal life suffered. It is speculated that the Osgoods separated in 1844.

Portrait of Poe by Samuel Stillman Osgood, Frances's husband
Portrait of Poe by Samuel Stillman Osgood, Frances's husband

Relationship with Poe

In February of 1845, Poe gave a lecture in New York in which he criticized American poetry, especially Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (February 27 1807 &ndash March 24 1882 was an American educator and Poet whose works include " Paul Revere's Ride " He made special mention, however, of Osgood, saying she had "a rosy future" in literature. Though she missed the lecture, she wrote to her friend, saying Poe was "called the severest critic of the day," making his compliment that much more impressive. [7]

It is believed Poe and Osgood first met in person when introduced by Nathaniel Parker Willis in March 1845 when Osgood had been separated from (but not divorced from) her husband. Nathaniel Parker Willis, also known as N P Willis, (January 20 1806 – January 20 1867 was an American Author, Poet and editor [8] Poe's wife Virginia was still alive, but in ill health. Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe (born Virginia Eliza Clemm) (August 22 1822 &ndash January 30 1847 was the wife of Edgar Allan Poe. Poe may have been attracted to Osgood because they were both born in Boston and possibly due to her childlike qualities which were similar to Virginia's. She may have already been in an early stage of tuberculosis, just like Virginia. [9]

Poe used his role as one-third owner of the Broadway Journal to print some of her poems, including some flirtatious ones. The Broadway Journal was a short-lived New York City -based Periodical founded by Charles Frederick Briggs and John Bisco in 1844 Poe responded with published poems of his own, occasionally under his pseudonym of Edgar T. S. Grey. Most notable is his poem "A Valentine. This article lists all known poems by American author and critic Edgar Allan Poe ( January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849) " The poem is actually a riddle which conceals Osgood's name, found by taking letter 1 from line 1, letter 2 from line 2, and so on. Despite these passionate interchanges, the relationship between Poe and Osgood is often considered purely platonic. Amor Platonicus The term amor platonicus was coined as early as the 15th century by the Florentine scholar Marsilio Ficino [10]

Oddly, Poe's wife Virginia approved of the relationship and often invited Osgood to visit their home. Virginia believed their friendship had a "restraining" effect on her husband. Poe had given up alcohol to impress Osgood, for example. In Chemistry, an alcohol is any Organic compound in which a Hydroxyl group ( - O[[hydrogen H]]) is bound to a Carbon Virginia may also have been aware of her own impending death and was looking for someone who would take care of Poe. [11] Osgood's husband Samuel also did not object, apparently used to his wife's impetuous behavior;[12] he himself had a reputation as a philanderer. Promiscuity refers to sexual behavior of a man or woman who casually has sex with many partners [11] Others, however, were not as supportive; Osgood and Poe were widely criticized and harassed for their relationship.

Fellow poet Elizabeth F. Ellet, whose affection Poe had scorned, spread rumors about Poe and Osgood's friendship, even contacting Virginia about alleged improprieties. Elizabeth Fries Lummis Ellet (October 18 1818 &ndash June 3 1877 was an American writer historian and poet Ellet even suggested that Osgood's third child, Fanny Fay, was not her husband's but Poe's. Fanny Fay was born in June of 1846 but died in October. [13] Poe biographer Kenneth Silverman says the possibility of Poe as Fanny Fay's father is "possible but most unlikely". Kenneth Silverman is a professor emeritus at New York University and a Pulitzer Prize -winning biographer [14] Osgood, in an attempt to protect her public character, sent Margaret Fuller and Anne Lynch to request Poe return her personal letters to him to be destroyed. Sarah Margaret Fuller Ossoli (May 23 1810 – July 19 1850 was a Journalist, Critic and Women's rights activist associated with the American Anne Charlotte Lynch Botta ( November 11 1815 - March 23 1891) was an American poet, Writer, Teacher [13] In July 1846 Osgood's husband Samuel demanded Ellet apologize to his wife, lest he sue her for defamation. Ellet responded in a letter, retracted her statements, and put the blame on Poe and his wife Virginia. [15] Osgood and Poe did not interact after 1847. [16]

Poe was not the only man to engage in literary flirtation with Osgood. Several men wrote of their affection for her, including Rufus Wilmot Griswold, to whom Osgood dedicated a book of poetry. Rufus Wilmot Griswold (February 13 1812 – August 27 1857 was an American anthologist, editor, Poet, and Critic. [17] She also wrote a Valentine poem that mingled her own name with Griswold's. [10] The competition between Griswold and Poe for Osgood may have led to their infamous rivalry, best exemplified in Griswold's character assassination of Poe after his death (see Death of Edgar Allan Poe). Character assassination is an intentional attempt to influence the portrayal or reputation of a particular person whether living or a historical personage in such a way as to cause See also Edgar Allan Poe The death of Edgar Allan Poe on October 7 1849 has remained mysterious the circumstances leading up to it are uncertain and the cause of death [17]

Death

Engraving of Frances Osgood from her 1850 collection of poetry
Engraving of Frances Osgood from her 1850 collection of poetry

Osgood and her husband reconciled in 1846, and moved to Philadelphia for a short time to get away from the scandal. Although she was ill, she continued to write. in 1849, her husband left her again to join the California Gold Rush. The California Gold Rush (1848&ndash1855 began on January 24 1848 when Gold was discovered by James Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California He returned shortly before her death. [2] Osgood died of tuberculosis in 1850. Tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for tubercle bacillus or T u' b' erculosis Bacillus --> is a common She is buried at Hingham Center Cemetery in Hingham, Massachusetts. Hingham is a town in Plymouth County on the South Shore of the U

Writing

Osgood was a prolific writer and contributed to most of the leading periodicals of the time. [1] Griswold once said that she created poems "with almost the fluency of conversation. "[18] Poe, in a review of her work, wrote that she was "absolutely without rival, we think, either in our own country or in England. "[19] Of her poetry collection A Wreath of Flowers from New England, he said that its author exhibits "deep feeling and exquisite taste" and her work deserved wider circulation. His review appeared in the September 1846 issue of Godey's Lady's Book. Godey's Lady's Book, alternatively known as Godey's Magazine and Lady's Book, was a popular United States Magazine among [20] In 1851, a collection of her writings was published by her friends and titled The Memorial, Written by Friends of the Late Mrs. Frances Sargent Locke Osgood. It was reissued as Laurel Leaves in 1854. [6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Silverman, 281
  2. ^ a b Nineteenth-Century Literary Criticism. This article lists all known poems by American author and critic Edgar Allan Poe ( January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849) This article lists all known poems by American author and critic Edgar Allan Poe ( January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849) Sarah Elmira Royster Shelton (1810 - 1888 was a childhood sweetheart of Edgar Allan Poe who would become engaged to him right before his death in 1849 Early life She was born in Providence Rhode Island on January 19 1803 - the same day as Poe though a few years before him Frances Sargent Osgood. Retrieved on January 27, 2008.
  3. ^ Dictionary of Literary Biography. Frances Sargent Osgood. Retrieved on January 27, 2008.
  4. ^ Frances Sargent Locke Osgood (1811-1850). Houghton Miflin - The Heath Anthology of American Literature, Fifth Edition - Paul Lauter, General Editor. Retrieved on January 27, 2008.
  5. ^ Silverman, 282
  6. ^ a b Literature online biography. Frances Sargent Locke Osgood. Retrieved on January 29, 2008.
  7. ^ Silverman, 281–282
  8. ^ Meyers, 174
  9. ^ Silverman, 279–282
  10. ^ a b Sova, 177
  11. ^ a b Silverman, 287
  12. ^ Moss, 211
  13. ^ a b Benton, Richard P. "Friends and Enemies: Women in the Life of Edgar Allan Poe" as collected in Myths and Reality: The Mysterious Mr. Poe. Baltimore: Edgar Allan Poe Society, 1987. p. 13 ISBN 0961644915
  14. ^ Silverman, 289
  15. ^ Meyers, 192
  16. ^ Quinn, 498
  17. ^ a b Meyers, 209
  18. ^ Silverman, 280
  19. ^ Meyers, 175
  20. ^ Sova, 258

Sources

External links

© 2009 citizendia.org; parts available under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License, from http://en.wikipedia.org