Bess Streeter Aldrich
Bess Streeter Aldrich: A Life of Literature and Devotion
Full Name and Common Aliases
Bess Streeter Aldrich was born on February 4, 1881, in Eldon, Iowa. Her full name is often shortened to B.S.A., and she also wrote under the pseudonym "Cedric Dowell".
Birth and Death Dates
February 4, 1881 – April 23, 1952
Nationality and Profession(s)
American author, writer of novels, short stories, essays, and poetry.
Early Life and Background
Bess Streeter Aldrich grew up in a family that valued education and encouraged her to pursue her love of literature. Her father was a farmer, and the family's rural lifestyle had a profound impact on her writing. She attended local schools and later studied at the University of Iowa, where she developed her writing skills.
Aldrich's early life was marked by hardship and loss. She experienced poverty, illness, and personal tragedy, which she drew upon in her writing to create authentic and poignant stories about everyday people. Her experiences on the family farm, her love for nature, and her deep sense of spirituality all influenced her literary style.
Major Accomplishments
Aldrich's writing career spanned over four decades and produced more than 30 novels, numerous short stories, essays, and poetry collections. Some of her notable works include:
A Lantern in Her Hand (1946), a family saga set on an Iowa farm that explores themes of love, loss, and the American dream.
Sunflower Oak (1951), a novel about a young woman's struggle to balance her artistic ambitions with domestic responsibilities.
Notable Works or Actions
Aldrich was known for her vivid descriptions of rural life, her strong female characters, and her exploration of themes such as love, family, and the human condition. Her writing often dealt with issues relevant to women during this period, including social expectations, marriage, and motherhood.
In addition to her literary achievements, Aldrich was also a devoted wife and mother. She married Charles Edward Douglas Aldrich in 1899, and they had three children together. The couple moved frequently due to their husband's work as an educator, which allowed them to experience different parts of the country.
Impact and Legacy
Bess Streeter Aldrich's writing has left a lasting impact on American literature. Her stories about ordinary people struggling with extraordinary circumstances continue to resonate with readers today. She was one of the first authors to write about rural life in Iowa, paving the way for other regional writers.
Aldrich's legacy extends beyond her literary contributions as well. She was a devoted member of her community and served on various local organizations focused on education, women's rights, and social welfare.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Bess Streeter Aldrich is widely quoted and remembered for several reasons:
Her authentic voice: Her writing provided an honest portrayal of rural life during the early 20th century, giving readers a unique perspective on this often-overlooked period in American history.
Her exploration of themes relevant to women: Aldrich's stories addressed issues such as marriage, motherhood, and social expectations, making her one of the most important female writers of her generation.
* Her commitment to community: Her dedication to education, women's rights, and social welfare has inspired countless readers to become involved in their local communities.
In conclusion, Bess Streeter Aldrich was a remarkable author whose life and work continue to captivate audiences today.
Quotes by Bess Streeter Aldrich
A person may encircle the globe with mind open only to bodily comfort. Another may live his life on a sixty-foot lot and listen to the voices of the universe.
She wondered why she, herself, was always touched by such infinitesimal things. Their very homeliness and lack of worth seemed connecting the past with the present all the more. It was true, she thought, that the big things awe us but the little things touch us.
And now Abbie had the new experience of attempting to keep another person courageous. It was more trying than to keep up her own spirits. Why must she always be strong for other people?
And so a greater share of the night, Laura shed tears into her soft white pillow. Some of them were for old Oscar Lutz... Some of them were for the general sad fact that hours fly and flowers die. But most of them were shed because of her own sudden and definite realization that even though there come new days and new ways, – love stays.
If the faith of all the mothers could blossom to its full fruition, there would be no unsuccessful men in the land.
For though love has been ridiculed and disgraced, exchanged and bartered, dragged through the courts, and sold for thirty pieces of silver, the bright, steady glow of its fire still shines on the hearth-stones of countless homes...
If I can’t see stories in the lives of the people around me, – I just couldn’t see them anywhere. If I can’t see drama in humanity near me, I guess I couldn’t detect it in humans far away.
Aunt Grace was leaving... Looking after her a moment, Laura had another feeling of tenderness toward her. How we live our lives side by side with those whom we never know or understand.
Abbie Deal went happily about her work, one baby in her arms and the other at her skirts, courage her lode-star and love her guide, – a song upon her lips and a lantern in her hand.