Gail Hamilton

Biography

(1838-1896)

Mary Abigail Dodge was born in Hamilton, Massachusetts on March 31, 1833, the youngest of seven children. The prosperity of her family allowed her time, even as a young girl, to read and spend leisure time. At the age of two, an accident left her blind in one eye. This experience influenced her self-image greatly; she thought of herself as ugly and was very shy in social situations. She excelled in school, however, and with the encouragement of her parents, pursued opportunities that were just starting to be available for women. Dodge did not anticipate marriage in her future, and she dreamed of being a writer. She worked for four years as a teacher, during which period she began sending her submissions to newspapers and journals. She adopted the pen name, Gail Hamilton, to protect her privacy, which was always very important to her. As Gail Hamilton, Dodge wrote essays, political commentaries, religious works, children's stories, and one failure of a novel. She was an advocate for women's rights, and her life supported her opinion that women were, like men, in charge of their own lives and happiness. In 1895, Dodge experienced a stroke which left her in a coma for seven weeks. Though she recovered, she died the next year, August 17, 1896.

(Compiled by Catherine Curtis)

See also

Essays by Gail Hamilton

Cheri

I know that I am but a poor substitute for a canary-bird,--a gross and sorry companion for one of ethereal mould. I can supply seed and water and conch-shells, but what do I know of finchy loves and hopes?

Dog-days

But the best of dog-days is their departing. Grateful for the returning sun, and the sweet west wind, we see a deeper blue in the sky, and a denser green in the fields.

Happiest days

You are "getting into years." Yes, but the years are getting into you,--the ripe, rich years, the genial, mellow years, the lusty, luscious years.

My garden

I like conscience, but, like corn and potatoes, carried too far, it becomes a vice. I think I could commit a murder with less hesitation than some people buy a ninepenny calico.

Preface to Country Living and Country Thinking

But if you commit this sin against me, I will never forgive you! Or, since that may be unscriptural, I will forgive you just enough to save my own soul, but not enough to be of any use to you.
Patrick Madden's New Book
Quotidiana by Patrick Madden
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