Mrs. Findley Braden
American author, newspaper editor, elocutionist (1858–1939)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mrs. Findley Braden was the pen name of Anna Braden (née, Rile; January 11, 1858 – 1939), an American writer, newspaper editor, and elocutionist from Pennsylvania. Before her marriage, she published under the name "Madge Rile" and other pseudonyms. Over the course of her career, she wrote more than 700 sketches, poems, and serials, contributed to leading newspapers and magazines in New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia, and published several volumes of poetry. She also composed song lyrics, delivered public recitations, and wrote works in multiple dialects, including Scotch, Irish, African-American, Dutch, and Quaker. In addition to her literary work, she served as editor of the Presbyterian Visitor, a monthly newspaper based in Philadelphia.
January 11, 1858
- Mrs. Findley Braden
- Madge Rile
Anna Braden | |
|---|---|
Portrait from "A Woman of the Century" | |
| Born | Anna Margaretta Rile January 11, 1858 Montgomery, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | 1939 (aged 80–81) |
| Pen name |
|
| Nickname | "Madge" |
| Occupation |
|
| Alma mater | National School of Elocution and Oratory |
| Notable works | Something new to recite |
| Spouse |
William Findley Braden
(m. 1880; died 1933) |
| Relatives | Joseph Reed |
Early life and education
Anna Margaretta (nickname, "Madge") Rile was born in Montgomery, Pennsylvania, January 11, 1858.[1] Her parents were John Conver and Sarah (Frantz) Rile.[2] She was of English and German descent, and her ancestors lived in or near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for over a century and a half. Her father was John Conver Rile. Her mother's maiden name was Frantz. She is fifth in direct line of descent from Joseph Reed, a Founding Father of the United States, his daughter being her great-grandmother.[3]
She graduated from the National School of Elocution and Oratory, Philadelphia.[3]
Career
At the age of 15, Braden began writing for the newspapers and magazines. Beginning in 1874, she wrote under her maiden name, "Madge Rile", and several pen names.[3]
Since her marriage, she adopted her husband's name, signing her articles "Mrs. Findley Braden". She wrote over 700 humorous and pathetic sketches, poems and serials, many of which appeared in the secular journals of New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia. She also wrote a number of songs that found their way into public favor. She was equally at home in the five dialects, Scotch, Irish, Negro, Dutch, and Quaker.[3] She published several volumes of poems.[4]
Braden served as the editor of the monthly newspaper, Presbyterian Visitor, established in 1888, and published by Graves & Banks, Philadelphia.[5]
Personal life
Musical compositions
- "Dreaming of Sweetheart Prue", words by Mrs. Findley Braden, music by W. A. Webb (1912)[6]
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