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Georgie A. Hulse McLeod
Georgie A. Hulse McLeod (née, Hulse; pen name, various, including Mary A. Holmes and Flora Neale; 1827–1890) was a 19th-century author and hymnwriter of Southern United States literature, as well as an educator and temperance activist. She was well known in literary and temperance circles throughout the American South.[1] For 18 years, she corresponded with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who took much interest in her and in her work.[2] She received encouragement from Lydia Sigourney, while Dr. Benjamin Franklin Thompson, the Long Island historian, was also one of McLeod's steadfast friends.[1][2][3] Early life and educationGeorgiana (nickname, "Georgie") Amelia Hulse was born was born in 1827,[4] near Pensacola, Florida, at the naval hospital, of which her father was then surgeon.[5][6][3][a] She was the daughter of Dr. Isaac Hulse (1797–1856), surgeon of the United States Navy, and Amelia Roberts Hulse (1801–1827),[1][4] a native of Pensacola.[2] Rev. Dr. George Roberts, of Baltimore was her grandfather.[3] Dr. Thomas Roberts, of Baltimore, was her uncle.[1] While an infant, Georgie's mother died, and she was reared by her grandparents in Baltimore.[5][b] In her childhood, she mingled in French society, the naval officers of French men-of-war ships being frequent guests of her father when in port.[2] She evinced a taste for literature while still a girl. In order to complete her education, she was sent to a convent, where she remained several years. While still a girl, she contributed to several periodicals under various pen names.[1][2][3] While in school, she wrote Sunbeams and Shadows. It was published by the Appletons, New York, soon after completing her education, some time prior to 1853.[6] Also written while at school and published by Appleton & Co. was Aunt Minnie's Portfolio.[1] CareerIn 1853, she married the Rev. Dr. Alexander W. McLeod, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, where for a time they resided. He was a Canadian divine and editor of the official organ of the Wesleyan Methodists of the lower provinces. Their children were: Isaac, Nelly, and Daisy.[4] In Halifax, she published, Ivy Leaves from the Old Homestead, which contains both prose and poems. This was soon followed by Thine and Mine and Seadrift, which was published by Messrs. Derby & Jackson in New York City.[1][5][6][3] Since the end of the civil war, she published Sea-Drifts (1867), a collection of largely serious stories embracing poems. It deals mainly with school-girls, their ways and thoughts, their joys and trials.[7] McLeod was also the author of Bright Memories, very similar to Sea-Drifts, except possibly more religious.[1][5][6][3][8] There is great similarity among these volumes. They are eminently moral, sometimes religious, and always temperate in being removed from the sensational and melodramatic.[6] She completed a book for juveniles, entitled Standing Guard, and a novel, The Old, Old Story.[7] McLeod was a constant contributor to magazines, in the North and the South, under the signature of "Flora Neale", and other noms de plume.[7] McLeod also wrote lyrics to several hymns.[9] A very industrious writer, she considered her writing as a recreation.[7] In the 1860s, she was the Principal of the Southern Literary Institute, Baltimore,[1][6][3] where many Southern girls from the best families were educated.[5] She gave free tuition to one young lady, the daughter of a deceased Confederate soldier, from each Southern State.[7] McLeod was the secretary of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (W.C.T.U.) of Maryland and the Southern secretary for the National W.C.T.U.[1] Later life and deathShe was writing a prohibition story, entitled Unprotected Home, when taken sick.[1] Georgie A. Hulse McLeod died at Baltimore, July 2, 1890.[1][2] Selected worksBooks
Hymn lyrics
NotesReferences
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