Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson: “Female Genius of the Delaware Valley”

The Early Years Elizabeth, born into the elite, grew up outside of Philadelphia at the family’s country estate, Graeme Park. Elizabeth, born into the elite, grew up outside of Philadelphia at the family’s country estate, Graeme Park. Her family was both wealthy and influential. Her family was both wealthy and influential. Around 1757 she became engaged to William Franklin, son of none other than Benjamin Franklin. Around 1757 she became engaged to William Franklin, son of none other than Benjamin Franklin. Because both families opposed the marriage, the engagement was ultimately called off. Because both families opposed the marriage, the engagement was ultimately called off.

Graeme Park, PA Historical Site

Between 1764 and 1765 Elizabeth was in London. Between 1764 and 1765 Elizabeth was in London. Here, she met several “leading literary and scientific figures.” Here, she met several “leading literary and scientific figures.” Upon her mother’s death in 1765, she returned home in order to assume her duties as mistress of Graeme Park where she established a literary salon. Upon her mother’s death in 1765, she returned home in order to assume her duties as mistress of Graeme Park where she established a literary salon.

The Literature Elizabeth translated Francois de Salignac de La Mothe-Fenelon’s Telemaque during her recovery from her broken engagement to Franklin. Elizabeth translated Francois de Salignac de La Mothe-Fenelon’s Telemaque during her recovery from her broken engagement to Franklin. Her translation was widely circulated and contributed towards earning her a prolific writing reputation. Her translation was widely circulated and contributed towards earning her a prolific writing reputation.

Other writings during this period include a metrical version of the Psalms, documented correspondences between contemporaries, and a journal. Other writings during this period include a metrical version of the Psalms, documented correspondences between contemporaries, and a journal. Few of her writings were published in her lifetime. Few of her writings were published in her lifetime.

Upon Marriage In April of 1772, Elizabeth married Henry H. Fergusson. In April of 1772, Elizabeth married Henry H. Fergusson. After her father’s death in late 1772, she inherited Graeme Park and spent much of her time there, apart from her husband who spent much of his time in England. After her father’s death in late 1772, she inherited Graeme Park and spent much of her time there, apart from her husband who spent much of his time in England.

Revolution! During the American Revolution, Fergusson’s husband devoted himself to the cause of the Loyalists (people loyal to England during the war) while Elizabeth herself “mildly” support the cause of the Whigs (social reformists in opposition to the Loyalists). During the American Revolution, Fergusson’s husband devoted himself to the cause of the Loyalists (people loyal to England during the war) while Elizabeth herself “mildly” support the cause of the Whigs (social reformists in opposition to the Loyalists). In October of 1777, her husband asked her to retrieve a letter from the Reverend Jacob Duche and carry it to General George Washington, telling him to surrender. In October of 1777, her husband asked her to retrieve a letter from the Reverend Jacob Duche and carry it to General George Washington, telling him to surrender. Upon doing so, Washington “chided her for her part in the episode.” Upon doing so, Washington “chided her for her part in the episode.”

Female Revolutionary Fergusson’s role in such political proceedings (that episode with Washington was not her last), were neither advantageous to herself nor her husband. Fergusson’s role in such political proceedings (that episode with Washington was not her last), were neither advantageous to herself nor her husband. Following her husband’s attainment and proscription, authorities confiscated her home, Graeme Park. Following her husband’s attainment and proscription, authorities confiscated her home, Graeme Park. Even after Graeme Park was restored to her in 1781, she lost it again in 1791 because of “financial reverses.” Even after Graeme Park was restored to her in 1781, she lost it again in 1791 because of “financial reverses.” After divorcing her husband in 1781, she began publishing poems in magazines and newspapers. After divorcing her husband in 1781, she began publishing poems in magazines and newspapers.

Writing Writing Elizabeth, like many outspoken women of this era, used pseudonyms, but female ones. Elizabeth, like many outspoken women of this era, used pseudonyms, but female ones. These women wanted to retain their class statuses without revealing their individual identities. These women wanted to retain their class statuses without revealing their individual identities. Simply in being female, they would already be recognized as members of the upper or upper middle class elite. Simply in being female, they would already be recognized as members of the upper or upper middle class elite. Elizabeth used an “individuated” pseudonym, like “’Laura’ or ‘Sylvia’” as her writings were predominately circulated within a largely female community (Cima). Elizabeth used an “individuated” pseudonym, like “’Laura’ or ‘Sylvia’” as her writings were predominately circulated within a largely female community (Cima).

In much of her writings, both her poetry and her prose, Fergusson figures Nature as a kind of female-centered “green retreat from the gaudy ‘shew’ and noisy ‘scandal’ of the city” (Parrish). In much of her writings, both her poetry and her prose, Fergusson figures Nature as a kind of female-centered “green retreat from the gaudy ‘shew’ and noisy ‘scandal’ of the city” (Parrish). Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson, according to scholar Susan Scott Parrish, was “after 1765” considered ‘the presiding female genius of the Delaware Valley (Shields 138)’” (Parrish). Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson, according to scholar Susan Scott Parrish, was “after 1765” considered ‘the presiding female genius of the Delaware Valley (Shields 138)’” (Parrish). Because most of her work was unpublished, few peer criticisms exist. Because most of her work was unpublished, few peer criticisms exist.

Bibliography Cima, Gay Gibson. “Black and Unmarked: Phillis Wheatley, Mercy Otis Warren, and the Limits of Strategic Anonymity.” Theatre Journal 52.4 (2000): Cima, Gay Gibson. “Black and Unmarked: Phillis Wheatley, Mercy Otis Warren, and the Limits of Strategic Anonymity.” Theatre Journal 52.4 (2000): Ferguson Ferguson Parrish, Susan Scott. “Women’s Nature: Curiosity, Pastoral, and the New Science in British America.” Early American Literature 37.2 (2002): Parrish, Susan Scott. “Women’s Nature: Curiosity, Pastoral, and the New Science in British America.” Early American Literature 37.2 (2002):