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{{Short description|American poet}}
{{Userspace draft|source=ArticleWizard|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Anna Young Smith
| other_names = Sylvia
| birth_name = Anna Young
| birth_date = 5 November 1756
| birth_place = [[Philadelphia]]
| death_date = 3 April 1780 (aged 23)
| nationality = [[Americans|American]]
| known_for = [[Poet]]
| notable_works = {{hlist|''Ode to Gratitude''|''On Reading Swift's Works''|''An Elegy to the Memory of American Volunteers''|}}
| spouse = William Smith
| children = 3
| parents = {{hlist|James Young|Jane Graeme Young|}}
| relatives = {{hlist|[[Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson]] (aunt)|Dr Thomas Graeme (grandfather)|}}
}}
'''Anna Young Smith''' (1756–1780) was an American poet from [[Philadelphia]]. Her early poetic efforts were encouraged by her aunt, [[Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson]], and she went on to circulate her writing within Philadelphia's literary coteries. Smith's notable works include ''Ode to Gratitude'', ''On reading Swift's Works'', and ''An Elegy to the Memory of American Volunteers''. She died aged 23 and most of her poems were published posthumously.


== Biography ==
'''Anna Young Smith''' (1756–1780) was an American poet from [[Philadelphia]].
[[File:HOTCHKIN(1892)_p264_Graeme_Park_(copied,_1854).jpg|alt=Graeme Park in 1755.|thumb|Graeme Park in 1755.]]
⚫
Anna Young Smith was born on 5 November 1756 in Philadelphia to James and Jane Graeme Young.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/americanwomenwri0004unse/page/62/mode/2up|title=American women writers : a critical reference guide : from colonial times to the present|publisher=[[Gale (publisher)|St. James Press]]|year=2000|isbn=1-55862-433-3|editor-last=Benbow-Pfalzgraf|editor-first=Taryn|edition=Second|volume=4|location=United States|pages=63|via=[[The Internet Archive]]}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofbrit00redi/page/286/mode/2up|title=A Dictionary of British and American women writers, 1660-1800|publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]]|year=1987|isbn=0-8476-7125-9|editor-last=Todd|editor-first=Janet M.|location=United States|pages=286–287|via=[[The Internet Archive]]}}</ref> James Young was a merchant of Philadelphia and held positions in government. He and Jane Graeme Young had four children, two of whom died in infancy. Anna Smith, then Anna Young, was their eldest child and only daughter. Just two years after Smith was born, her mother died.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jAmAeuBUMNYC|title=History of Montgomery County Pennsylvania|publisher=Everts & Peck|year=1884|editor-last=Bean|editor-first=Theodore W.|pages=896–898|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> Smith and her brother were subsequently raised and educated by their aunt [[Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson]] at [[Graeme Park]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Sage|first=Lorna|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NB59uc9_ss8C|title=The Cambridge Guide to Women's Writing in English|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|year=1999|isbn=0-521-66813-1|location=United Kingdom|pages=584|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> Fergusson hosted a weekly salon at Graeme Park, and it was here where Smith was introduced to influential writers as a child. Fergusson also encouraged Smith's own literary ambitions.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/oxfordcompaniont00davi/page/818/mode/2up?q=%2Banna+%2Byoung+%2Bsmith|title=The Oxford companion to women's writing in the United States|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|year=1995|isbn=0-19-506608-1|editor-last=Davidson|editor-first=Cathy N.|location=United States|pages=819|editor-last2=Wagner-Martin|editor-first2=Linda|editor-last3=Ammons|editor-first3=Elizabeth|editor-last4=Harris|editor-first4=Trudier|editor-last5=Kibbey|editor-first5=Ann|editor-last6=Ling|editor-first6=Amy|editor-last7=Radway|editor-first7=Janice|via=[[The Internet Archive]]}}</ref> Smith expressed her appreciation in ''Ode to Gratitude'', the earliest surviving of her works. It was written when she was 13 and is dedicated to Fergusson.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />


By 1772, Smith had relocated to the city to live with her father.<ref name=":3" /> She began sharing poems within Philadelphia's literary circles in 1773 having adopted the pseudonym "Sylvia".<ref name=":4" /> In 1775, Smith married Dr. William Smith at Graeme Park. It was reported that her father did not consent to the marriage.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> Together they had three children.<ref name=":1" />
⚫
Born on 5 November 1756<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/americanwomenwri0004unse/page/62/mode/2up|title=American women writers : a critical reference guide : from colonial times to the present|publisher=[[Gale (publisher)|St. James Press]]|year=2000|isbn=1-55862-433-3|editor-last=Benbow-Pfalzgraf|editor-first=Taryn|edition=Second|volume=4|location=United States|pages=63|via=[[The Internet Archive]]}}</ref> in Philadelphia to James and Jane Graeme Young.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofbrit00redi/page/286/mode/2up|title=A Dictionary of British and American women writers, 1660-1800|publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]]|year=1987|isbn=0-8476-7125-9|editor-last=Todd|editor-first=Janet, M.|location=United States|pages=286-287|via=[[The Internet Archive]]}}</ref> After her mother died, Smith and her brother<ref name=":1" /> were raised and educated by her aunt [[Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson]] at [[Graeme Park]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Sage|first=Lorna|url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Cambridge_Guide_to_Women_s_Writing_i/NB59uc9_ss8C?hl=en&gbpv=1|title=The Cambridge Guide to Women's Writing in English|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|year=1999|isbn=0-521-66813-1|location=United Kingdom|pages=584|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> Fergusson encouraged Smith to write and introduced her to influential Philadelphians.<ref name=":0" />


⚫
Fergusson's [[commonplace book]] records Smith's death, stating "this dear child died April 3, 1780".<ref name=":0" /> She was only 23 years old. It is unknown what exactly was the cause of her death, but it may have been complications due to the birth of her third child.<ref name=":1" />
''Ode to Gratitude'': Earliest surviving of Smith's works, written when she was 13.<ref name=":0" /> Dedicated to Fergusson.<ref name=":2" />


== Writing ==
In 1775, Smith married Dr. William Smith.<ref name=":0" /> It was reported that her father did not consent to the marriage.<ref name=":0" /> Together they had three children.<ref name=":1" />
⚫
Most of Smith's surviving works were written prior to her marriage. Her poetry focusses on common themes, such as friendship, love, grief, and nature. She also wrote about political matters. Fergusson described her as "a warm Whig" due to her standpoint on the [[American Revolution]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /> Smith wrote of her support for the patriot side of the War in ''Elegy to the Memory of the American Volunteers'' (1775).<ref name=":2" /> This work was popular among readers and was recommended for publication in the ''Pennsylvania Magazine'', therefore becoming the only work to be printed during Smith's lifetime.<ref name=":4" /> Smith's writing also explored the fair treatment of women.<ref name=":1" /> In her poem ''On Reading Swift's Works'', she praises [[Jonathan Swift|Jonathan Swift's]] "perfect style" but condemns him for reprimanding "helpless women",<ref name=":2" /> writing "Ungenerous bard, whom not e'en Stella's charms / Thy vengeful satire of its sting disarms! / Say when thou, dipp'st thy keenest pen in gall, / Why must it still on helpless women fall?"<ref name=":1" />


⚫
Fifteen of Smith's poems were copied into Fergusson's commonplace book, which dates from around 1787. Eight poems were printed in the ''Universal Asylum and Columbian Magazine'' after Smith's death.<ref name=":0" />
⚫
Fergusson's [[commonplace book]] records Smith's death, stating "this dear child died April 3, 1780".<ref name=":0" /> It is unknown what exactly was the cause of her death, but it may have been complications due to the birth of her third child.<ref name=":1" />


== Selected works ==
⚫
Most of Smith's surviving works were written prior to her marriage.<ref name=":1" /> Smith wrote under the pseudonym "Sylvia".<ref name=":0" /> Her poetry focusses on common themes, such as friendship, love, grief, and nature.<ref name=":0" /> She also wrote about political and feminist matters.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Fergusson described her as "a warm Whig" due to her standpoint on the [[American Revolution]].<ref name=":0" /> She wrote of her support for the patriot side of the War in ''Elegy to the Memory of the American Volunteers''.<ref name=":2" /> She demanded fair treatment of women.<ref name=":1" /> In her poem ''Reading Swift's Works'', she praises [[Jonathan Swift|Jonathan Swift's]] "perfect style" but condemns him for reprimanding "helpless women",<ref name=":2" /> writing "Ungenerous bard, whom not e'en Stella's charms / Thy vengeful satire of its sting disarms! / Say when thou, dipp'st thy keenest pen in gall, / Why must it still on helpless women fall?"<ref name=":1" />

* ''Ode to Gratitude''
* ''Occasional Verses on the Anniversary of the Death of Dr. Thomas Graeme''
*''On Reading Swift's Works''
*''An Elegy to the Memory of American Volunteers''


⚫
15 of Smith's poems were copied into Fergusson's commonplace book, which dates from around 1787.<ref name=":0" /> Eight poems were printed in the ''Universal Asylum and Columbian Magazine'' after Smith's death.<ref name=":0" />
== References ==
== References ==
<!--- See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes on how to create references using <ref></ref> tags, these references will then appear here automatically -->
<!--- See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes on how to create references using <ref></ref> tags, these references will then appear here automatically -->
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{Authority control}}
== External links ==
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Anna Young}}

* [http://www.example.com www.example.com]
<!--- Categories --->
<!--- Categories --->

[[Category:1756 births]]
[[Category:1780 deaths]]
[[Category:American women poets]]
[[Category:18th-century American women writers]]
[[Category:Poets from Philadelphia]]
[[Category:18th-century American poets]]

Latest revision as of 21:12, 14 September 2024

Anna Young Smith
Born
Anna Young

5 November 1756
Philadelphia
Died3 April 1780 (aged 23)
NationalityAmerican
Other namesSylvia
Known forPoet
Notable work
  • Ode to Gratitude
  • On Reading Swift's Works
  • An Elegy to the Memory of American Volunteers
SpouseWilliam Smith
Children3
Parents
  • James Young
  • Jane Graeme Young
Relatives

Anna Young Smith (1756–1780) was an American poet from Philadelphia. Her early poetic efforts were encouraged by her aunt, Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson, and she went on to circulate her writing within Philadelphia's literary coteries. Smith's notable works include Ode to Gratitude, On reading Swift's Works, and An Elegy to the Memory of American Volunteers. She died aged 23 and most of her poems were published posthumously.

Biography

[edit]
Graeme Park in 1755.
Graeme Park in 1755.

Anna Young Smith was born on 5 November 1756 in Philadelphia to James and Jane Graeme Young.[1][2] James Young was a merchant of Philadelphia and held positions in government. He and Jane Graeme Young had four children, two of whom died in infancy. Anna Smith, then Anna Young, was their eldest child and only daughter. Just two years after Smith was born, her mother died.[3] Smith and her brother were subsequently raised and educated by their aunt Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson at Graeme Park.[2][4] Fergusson hosted a weekly salon at Graeme Park, and it was here where Smith was introduced to influential writers as a child. Fergusson also encouraged Smith's own literary ambitions.[5] Smith expressed her appreciation in Ode to Gratitude, the earliest surviving of her works. It was written when she was 13 and is dedicated to Fergusson.[2][4]

By 1772, Smith had relocated to the city to live with her father.[3] She began sharing poems within Philadelphia's literary circles in 1773 having adopted the pseudonym "Sylvia".[5] In 1775, Smith married Dr. William Smith at Graeme Park. It was reported that her father did not consent to the marriage.[2][3] Together they had three children.[1]

Fergusson's commonplace book records Smith's death, stating "this dear child died April 3, 1780".[2] She was only 23 years old. It is unknown what exactly was the cause of her death, but it may have been complications due to the birth of her third child.[1]

Writing

[edit]

Most of Smith's surviving works were written prior to her marriage. Her poetry focusses on common themes, such as friendship, love, grief, and nature. She also wrote about political matters. Fergusson described her as "a warm Whig" due to her standpoint on the American Revolution.[1][2] Smith wrote of her support for the patriot side of the War in Elegy to the Memory of the American Volunteers (1775).[4] This work was popular among readers and was recommended for publication in the Pennsylvania Magazine, therefore becoming the only work to be printed during Smith's lifetime.[5] Smith's writing also explored the fair treatment of women.[1] In her poem On Reading Swift's Works, she praises Jonathan Swift's "perfect style" but condemns him for reprimanding "helpless women",[4] writing "Ungenerous bard, whom not e'en Stella's charms / Thy vengeful satire of its sting disarms! / Say when thou, dipp'st thy keenest pen in gall, / Why must it still on helpless women fall?"[1]

Fifteen of Smith's poems were copied into Fergusson's commonplace book, which dates from around 1787. Eight poems were printed in the Universal Asylum and Columbian Magazine after Smith's death.[2]

Selected works

[edit]
  • Ode to Gratitude
  • Occasional Verses on the Anniversary of the Death of Dr. Thomas Graeme
  • On Reading Swift's Works
  • An Elegy to the Memory of American Volunteers

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f Benbow-Pfalzgraf, Taryn, ed. (2000). American women writers : a critical reference guide : from colonial times to the present. Vol. 4 (Second ed.). United States: St. James Press. p. 63. ISBN 1-55862-433-3 – via The Internet Archive.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Todd, Janet M., ed. (1987). A Dictionary of British and American women writers, 1660-1800. United States: Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 286–287. ISBN 0-8476-7125-9 – via The Internet Archive.
  3. ^ a b c Bean, Theodore W., ed. (1884). History of Montgomery County Pennsylvania. Everts & Peck. pp. 896–898 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ a b c d Sage, Lorna (1999). The Cambridge Guide to Women's Writing in English. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. p. 584. ISBN 0-521-66813-1 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ a b c Davidson, Cathy N.; Wagner-Martin, Linda; Ammons, Elizabeth; Harris, Trudier; Kibbey, Ann; Ling, Amy; Radway, Janice, eds. (1995). The Oxford companion to women's writing in the United States. United States: Oxford University Press. p. 819. ISBN 0-19-506608-1 – via The Internet Archive.
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