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Sarah Josepha Hale

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Poet

The Resume

    (October 24, 1788-April 30, 1879)
    Born in Newport, New Hampshire
    Birth name was Sarah Josepha Buell
    Editor of the journal 'Godey's Lady's Book' (1837-77)
    Best known poem was 'Mary Had a Little Lamb'

Why she might be annoying:

    She opposed women's suffrage, instead encouraging the use of 'the secret, silent influence of women' to sway male voters.
    After her husband died, she wore black for the remaining 57 years of her life.
    Although she wrote over 40 books, 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' is the only one of her works people remember.
    Some critics suggested that she stole the first four lines of 'Mary' from one John Roulstone.

Why she might not be annoying:

    Under her guidance, 'Godey's Lady's Book' became the most popular magazine in America, with circulation soaring from 10,000 to 150,000.
    She was an advocate for higher education for women.
    She raised money in Boston to complete the Bunker Hill Monument (1843).
    She persuaded Abraham Lincoln to make Thanksgiving a national holiday (1863).

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 8 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 5 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 4 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 10 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 21 Votes: 61.90% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 11 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 15 Votes: 73.33% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 28 Votes: 67.86% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 23 Votes: 47.83% Annoying