Ellen Clementine Howarth
Ellen Clemenentine Howarth was born in Cooperstown, NY, the daughter of a calico-printer. After her marriage in 1845 to an English calico printer, she and her husband settled in Trenton where they struggled to make a living. Howarth helped support the family by caning chairs. Howarth wrote her poems whenever inspiration struck her. She kept a pencil and paper on her at all times in case inspiration came while doing the laundry or other chores. “The Tress of Golden Hair” and other Howarth poems have been set to music by contemporary New Jersey composer Godfrey Schroth.
Howarth, Ellen Clementine. 1864. The wind harp: and other poems. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/6340300
HOWARTH, Ellen Clementine, and R. W. G. 1868. Poems … Second edition. [With preface by R.W.G.]. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/560350651
Questions to Explore
What are some of the notable poems written by Howarth?
What are some ways Howarth was inspired by doing chores and everyday activities?
How did Howarth’s poems that were set to music impact the public?
Howarth Ellen Clementine and Cairns Collection of American Women Writers. 1868. Poems. Newark N.J: Martin R. Dennis. https://www.worldcat.org/title/7667825
The Critic. United States: Good Literature Publishing Company, 1900.