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Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities
Fanny Kemble: Anti-Slavery Advocate, Dezlen Long
Fanny Kemble: Anti-Slavery Advocate, Dezlen Long
People and Places
Although not related to the Wister Family by blood, Fanny Kemble was the mother-in-law of Owen Jones Wister and grandmother of acclaimed novelist Owen Wister. An actress and writer by profession, Fanny believed that it was her identity as an English citizen that turned her into a fervent abolitionist and viewing the horrors of slavery firsthand. Visiting a Georgia plantation owned by slave-owning husband, Pierce Butler, Fanny was shocked and appalled at the living conditions that the enslaved people endured. Determined to make their lives better, Fanny established a hospital and nursery for enslaved people on the plantation and taught …
The Civil War Diary Of Sarah Butler Wister, Dezlen Long
The Civil War Diary Of Sarah Butler Wister, Dezlen Long
People and Places
From April 15, 1861, to September 4, 1861, Sarah Butler Wister, daughter of actress Fanny Kemble and member of the Wister family, kept a diary that detailed the events of the Civil War and her views on the matter. Over the course of the five-month long diary, Sarah introduces a multitude of people connected to both her personal life and the ongoing war while keeping track of the war’s events and the news cycles that soon followed. While the diary ends abruptly, we know that years later excerpts from it were published with the diarist’s permission by her mother.
Frances Anne Kemble (1809-1893), Natalie Karelis
Frances Anne Kemble (1809-1893), Natalie Karelis
People and Places
Frances Anne Kemble was born into a theatrical family in London, England, on November 27, 1809. Her roots in the theater were well established at her birth, her aunt being the renowned actress Sarah Siddons and her father, Charles Kemble, the renowned Shakespearean actor.
Mary Channing Wister (1870-1913): An Unknown Legend, Eric M. Augenstein
Mary Channing Wister (1870-1913): An Unknown Legend, Eric M. Augenstein
People and Places
Most articles and stories about Mary Channing Wister start out like this: "Mary Channing Wister, the wife of the novelist Owen Wister, author of The Virginian. . . ." For some people, being affiliated with a famous spouse or other family member is a great honor. There is much more to Mary Channing Wister, though, than just having a famous husband.
Sarah Logan Fisher Wister (1806-1891), Monica Shields
Sarah Logan Fisher Wister (1806-1891), Monica Shields
People and Places
Sarah Logan Fisher Wister was born May 18, 1806 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Her parents were William Logan Fisher and his first wife, Mary Rodman. Little, if anything, is known about her childhood because the authors of the greatest quantity of information known about her were her son and her granddaughter.
Sarah Logan Wister Starr (1873-1956), Jeff Thompson
Sarah Logan Wister Starr (1873-1956), Jeff Thompson
People and Places
Named after her grandmother, Sarah Logan Fisher, Sarah Logan Wister was born in Pierre County, Duncannon, near Philadelphia in 1873. Her Father John Wister descended from the wealthy Wisters of Philadelphia, while her mother descended from James Logan, Secretary to William Penn during the early colonial period.
The National League For Woman's Service, Lydia Stieber
The National League For Woman's Service, Lydia Stieber
People and Places
St. Mutien’s Christian Brothers’ Residence, located on La Salle University’s South Campus, was once one of the busiest centers in Germantown. In 1917, this building was known as "Little Wakefield" and was a demonstration center for one of most active branches of the National League for Woman’s Service.
Wisters And Fishers In The Civil War, Jen Merritt
Wisters And Fishers In The Civil War, Jen Merritt
People and Places
The Wister and Fisher families who lived on or near what is today La Salle's campus were prominent members of their community and many of them served diligently during the Civil War.
Frances Anne Wister (1874-1956), Bob Delp
Frances Anne Wister (1874-1956), Bob Delp
People and Places
One of the first leadership positions that Frances Anne held was as vice president of the Women’s Civic Club of Philadelphia (c. 1907). She served as vice president for the rest of her life, except for a period of seven years (1922-29), when she served as its president. It was her sister, Mary Channing Wister, who founded the Women’s Civic Club, but when she died, Frances Anne continued it and kept it running. The Civic Club was responsible for bringing about electric street lighting to the city of Philadelphia.
Ella Eustis Wister Haines (1879-1969), Kristen Terranova
Ella Eustis Wister Haines (1879-1969), Kristen Terranova
People and Places
Ella Eustis Wister was born on August 30, 1879 to William Rotch Wister and Mary Rebecca Eustis, at Mrs. Wister’s mother’s home in Milton, Massachusetts.
Peale And Jefferson: Correspondence From Belfield, Dave Tavani
Peale And Jefferson: Correspondence From Belfield, Dave Tavani
People and Places
The correspondence between Charles Willson Peale and Thomas Jefferson, while Peale lived at Belfield, is a very interesting window into the lives of two great American men. Peale and Jefferson were friends from revolutionary times--in fact Peale painted Jefferson’s portrait. Jefferson initiated the correspondence with a letter to his friend Peale dated August 20, 1811 and also wrote the last surviving letter, which is dated August 26, 1820.