Английская Википедия:Fanny Murdaugh Downing

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Шаблон:Short description

Шаблон:Infobox writer

Fanny Murdaugh Downing (Шаблон:Nee Frances Murdaugh; pen names, Viola and Frank Dashmore;Шаблон:Sfn October 19, 1831 - May 6, 1894) was a 19th-century American author and poet.[1] She was the first resident novelist of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.[2] Downing's principal publications included: Nameless, a novel, 1865; Perfect though Suffering, a Tale, 1867 ; Florida, a Tale of the Land of Flowers; Pluto, or the Origin of Mint Julep, a story in verse.Шаблон:Sfn Most of her poems described her love and devotion for Confederate soldiers.Шаблон:Sfn In addition to Pluto, her best known poems were "The Legend of Catawba" and "Dixie".Шаблон:Sfn

Early life and education

Frances MurdaughШаблон:Sfn was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, October 19, 1831.Шаблон:SfnШаблон:SfnШаблон:Efn Her parents were Hon. John Washington Murdaugh, a distinguished name in Virginia;Шаблон:SfnШаблон:Sfn and Margaret Waller Murdaugh.Шаблон:Sfn

She was educated in a private school in Virginia.[2]

Career

She was married, in 1851, to Charles W. Downing Jr., Esq., of Florida, and at that time its Secretary of State. They had four children,Шаблон:Sfn including a daughter, Margaret.Шаблон:Sfn During the Civil War, she lived in Virginia, and then became a refugee in Charlotte, North Carolina, remaining until 1869.[2]

Her literary life commenced in North Carolina, in 1863.Шаблон:Sfn Her health was not robust. Many of her works are composed while too weak to leave her bed. A comedy of three acts, called Nobody Hurt, was thus dashed off in ten hours. When she began to write for the public, she announced her intention in a letter to a friend: "I shall write first to see if I can write; then for money, and then for fame!"Шаблон:Sfn

She wrote hundreds of poem at this time, using the pseudonyms of "Frank Dashmore" and "Viola".[2] Her first publication was a poem entitled "Folia Autumni", and its success was so great that it was rapidly followed by numerous other poetical effusions, most of which have a religious tinge, and seem subdued. They are all remarkable for musical rhythm, and an easy and graceful flow of feelings. Among the best of these are her "Egomet Ipse", a terrible heartsearcher; "Faithful unto Death", full of a wild and nameless pathos; and "Desolate", an elegiac poem.Шаблон:Sfn

These poems were followed by the novel, Nameless. It is said to have been hastily written in ten days, as a proof whether or not she could write prose. She had already written good poetry which was appreciated and applauded, and her next venture was in prose fiction. Her writing improved, developed, and matured in her next novels, Perfect through Suffering and Florida.Шаблон:Sfn

Then came a series of poems of a sterner sort, which were deemed by some to be rebellious. Of this style are "Confederate Gray", "Holly and Cypress", "Prometheus Vinctus", "Memorial Flowers", "Our President", "Two Years Ago", "Sic Semper Tyrannis", and "Dixie". She also wrote some love poems.Шаблон:Sfn

Personal life

Downing was active in the social life of Charlotte.[2] She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.Шаблон:Sfn

On April 24, 1894, it was reported that Downing was extremely ill at her residence.[3]

Downing died at her residence in Portsmouth, May 7, 1894.Шаблон:SfnШаблон:Sfn She was survived by a son, two daughters, a brother, Captain William Murdaugh, and a sister, Mrs. Washington Reed. A son, Charles, preceded her in death.[4]

Selected works

Plays

  • Nobody Hurt, a play

Novels

  • Nameless, a novel, 1865
  • Perfect though Suffering, a tale, 1867
  • Florida, a Tale of the Land of Flowers

Poetry

  • Pluto, or the Origin of Mint Julep, a story in verse
  • "The Legend of Catawba"
  • "Dixie"

Notes

Шаблон:Notelist

References

Шаблон:Reflist

Attribution

Bibliography

External links

Шаблон:Portal Шаблон:Authority control