Phoebe Cary

Phoebe Cary was an esteemed American poet born on September 4, 1824, in Mount Healthy, Ohio. She grew up in a liberal and intellectually stimulating household, which fostered her and her sister Alice's literary interests from a young age. Despite limited formal education, Phoebe displayed a remarkable talent for verse, and together with Alice, she began publishing poems in local newspapers during her teenage years.

The Cary sisters moved to New York City in 1852, where they became central figures in a vibrant literary circle that included leading writers and reformers of the day. In 1850, the sisters published a collection of their poems titled "Poems of Alice and Phoebe Cary." Phoebe's poetry often reflected themes of social justice, morality, and spirituality, characterized by its accessible style and emotional depth. Her works were widely appreciated and published in various periodicals.

Phoebe also supported women's rights and social reforms, using her pen to advocate for these causes. Her notable collections include "Poems and Parodies" (1854) and "The Last Poems of Alice and Phoebe Cary" (1873), published posthumously. Phoebe Cary passed away on July 31, 1871, leaving behind a legacy as a significant contributor to 19th-century American literature and advocacy.