Emma Wolf
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Emma Wolf | |
|---|---|
.png) (1896) | |
| Born | June 15, 1865 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Died | August 30, 1932 (aged 67) San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Author |
| Alma mater | |
| Genre | |
| Notable works | A Prodigal in Love |
| Signature | |
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Emma Wolf (June 15, 1865 – August 30, 1932) was an American litterateur and novelist. She published early in life and was the author of five novels. Wolf was born with a congenital defect and spent part of her life in a wheelchair.
Emma Wolf was born June 15, 1865, in San Francisco, California. Her parents, Simon and Annette (née Levy) Wolf, were Jewish[1][2][3] and were emigrants from Alsace, France.[4][5] There were ten siblings, including a sister, Alice, who was also an author.[6]
She was educated in the public schools of San Francisco, including the Girls High School,[4] as well as the Teacher's College.[3] A physical disability kept her from becoming a teacher.[6]
Career
Early on, Wolf developed a bent for publishing her work. Her Jewish-themed novels attracted particular attention,[5] while other novels focused on the changing roles of women.[4] Numerous short stories were contributed to magazines.[3]
Her first novel, Other Things Being Equal (Chicago, A. C. McClurg, 1892), focused on the present-day social life of the American Jew, with the lesson derived being that other things being equal, a Jewish woman may marry a Christian. It affirmed the morality and peace of Jewish homes.[7] A Prodigal in Love (New York City, Harper, 1894), again set in San Francisco, was a successful novel telling the story of home perplexities.[8][9] This was followed by Joy of Life (New York City, A. C. McClurg, 1896), the story of two very different brothers.[10] Heirs of Yesterday (Chicago, A. C. McClurg, 1900) was described by Adler & Szold (1906) as "an interesting novel in which the force of tradition upon the Jew and the prejudiced attitude of the Christians are the underlying motives".[7] Wolf's last novel, published in 1916, was entitled Fulfillment.[2][3]
Personal life
Affected by a congenital defect, Wolf did not lead a very active life. In her later years, she was reliant on a wheelchair.[11] She lived for a number of years at San Francisco's Dante Sanitorium.[4] Wolf was a member of Congregation Emanu-El[4] and the Philomath Club.[3]
Emma Wolf died in San Francisco, on August 30, 1932.[12]
Selected works
- Other Things Being Equal (1892)
- A Prodigal in Love (1894)
- Joy of Life (1896)
- Heirs of Yesterday (1900)
- Fulfillment (1916)
