Mary Anna Henry (1834–1903) was a prolific diarist who documented her experiences and observations while residing in Washington, D.C. in the years before, during, and after the American Civil War. [1] It was donated to the Smithsonian after her death, then transcribed and published with footnotes in 2014. [2] Her diary is noted for its level of detail and is now used to teach the history of the Civil War. [1]
Early life
Mary Anna Henry was born in Princeton, New Jersey to Joseph and Harriet Henry. The Henry family relocated to Washington, D.C. when Mary's father, Joseph Henry, was appointed as the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. She and the Henry family lived in the Smithsonian Institution Building (the "Castle") from 1855 until her father's death in 1878. [1]
Diary
From 1858 to 1868, Henry kept a diary that included her experiences within the Smithsonian building, news reports of major Civil War battles, observations of troop movements, and attitudes of the people of Washington, D.C. [1] [3] Henry also wrote a detailed retelling of the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln and his funeral. [4] [5]
In her life in Washington, DC, Henry met with powerful social, political, and both military leaders and soldiers. Due to her father's position, Henry also greeted and entertained scholars and scientists visiting the Smithsonian Castle. [1] [4]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Mary Henry: Eyewitness to the Civil War". Smithsonian Institution Archives. 2012-09-14. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
- ^ Rothrock, Millie (2014-12-13). "Farley compiles Civil War diary". SWVA Today. Wytheville, Virginia. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
- ^ Clough, G. Wayne (June 2011). "Civil Discourse". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
- ^ a b "Mary Henry Diary". Remembering Lincoln. Ford's Theatre. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
- ^ "Mary Anna Henry". History of American Women. 2007-11-08. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
External links
 | This article about a United States writer of non-fiction is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
- 1834 births
- 1903 deaths
- Writers from Princeton, New Jersey
- American diarists
- 19th-century American women writers
- 19th-century American biographers
- 19th-century diarists
- Writers from Washington, D.C.
- Smithsonian Institution people
- American women diarists
- Women in the American Civil War
- American non-fiction writer stubs
Mary Anna Henry (1834–1903) was a prolific diarist who documented her experiences and observations while residing in Washington, D.C. in the years before, during, and after the American Civil War. [1] It was donated to the Smithsonian after her death, then transcribed and published with footnotes in 2014. [2] Her diary is noted for its level of detail and is now used to teach the history of the Civil War. [1]
Early life
Mary Anna Henry was born in Princeton, New Jersey to Joseph and Harriet Henry. The Henry family relocated to Washington, D.C. when Mary's father, Joseph Henry, was appointed as the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. She and the Henry family lived in the Smithsonian Institution Building (the "Castle") from 1855 until her father's death in 1878. [1]
Diary
From 1858 to 1868, Henry kept a diary that included her experiences within the Smithsonian building, news reports of major Civil War battles, observations of troop movements, and attitudes of the people of Washington, D.C. [1] [3] Henry also wrote a detailed retelling of the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln and his funeral. [4] [5]
In her life in Washington, DC, Henry met with powerful social, political, and both military leaders and soldiers. Due to her father's position, Henry also greeted and entertained scholars and scientists visiting the Smithsonian Castle. [1] [4]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Mary Henry: Eyewitness to the Civil War". Smithsonian Institution Archives. 2012-09-14. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
- ^ Rothrock, Millie (2014-12-13). "Farley compiles Civil War diary". SWVA Today. Wytheville, Virginia. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
- ^ Clough, G. Wayne (June 2011). "Civil Discourse". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
- ^ a b "Mary Henry Diary". Remembering Lincoln. Ford's Theatre. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
- ^ "Mary Anna Henry". History of American Women. 2007-11-08. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
External links
|
| This article about a United States writer of non-fiction is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
- 1834 births
- 1903 deaths
- Writers from Princeton, New Jersey
- American diarists
- 19th-century American women writers
- 19th-century American biographers
- 19th-century diarists
- Writers from Washington, D.C.
- Smithsonian Institution people
- American women diarists
- Women in the American Civil War
- American non-fiction writer stubs