Anna Young Smith
Anna Young Smith (1756–1780) was an American poet from Philadelphia.
Born in Philadelphia to James and Jane Graeme Young.[1] After her mother died, she was raised and educated by her aunt Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson.[1] Fergusson encouraged Smith to write and introduced her to influential Philadelphians.[1]
Ode to Gratitude: Earliest surviving of Smith's works, written when she was 13.[1]
In 1775, Smith married Dr. William Smith.[1] It was reported that her father did not consent to the marriage.[1]
Fergusson's commonplace book records Smith's death, stating "this dear child died April3, 1780".[1]
Smith wrote under the pseudonym "Sylvia".[1] Her poetry focusses on common themes, such as friendship, love, grief, and nature.[1] She also wrote about political matters.[1] Fergusson described her as "a warm Whig" due to her standpoint on the American Revolution.[1]
15 of Smith's poems were copied into Fergusson's commonplace book, which dates from around 1787.[1] Eight poems were printed in the Universal Asylum and Columbian Magazine after Smith's death.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m 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.
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