Mary Louise Booth (1831–1889)

American author and editor, born at Yaphank, on Long Island, NY, on the 19th of April 1831; died in New York City, on the 5th of March 1889. She was of French descent; taught school with her father in Williamsburg, but gave it up on account of ill-health, and adopted literary work, sending sketches to the newspapers and translating French stories. During the war she engaged in translating the writings of de Gasparin, Laboulaye and Cochin, Frenchmen sympathetic with the cause of the Union. Her patriotic work received the praise of President Lincoln and other statesmen. She translated the History of France, by Henri Martin, and wrote a History of the City of New York. In 1867 Harper’s Bazar was established, and Miss Booth was its editor until her death.