Annie Trumbull Slosson
Encyclopedia
Annie Trumbull Slosson (18 May 1838 Stonington, Connecticut
- 4 October 1926 New York City
) was an author and entomologist
. (Her given name was Anna, but she appears to have used Annie consistently.) She was the daughter of Gurdon Trumbull (1790 - 1875) and Sarah Ann (Swan) Trumbull of Stonington, Connecticut
. Her father, Gurdon Trumbull was originally from Norwich
. He was a merchant and local politician in Stonington, and made a fortune in the whale
and seal
fisheries active in New England
at that time. Annie Trumbull was the ninth of ten children, seven of whom survived to adulthood. In 1852 the family moved to Hartford
, where she attended public schools and Hartford Female Seminary
. She was married in Hartford on 27 June 1867 (another date given is 6 June) to Edward Slosson (circa 1814 - 1871), a lawyer and politician in New York City. They had no children. Annie Trumbull Slosson died at her home (26 Grammercy Park, New York City) on 4 October 1926 and was buried in Hartford, Connecticut (Leonard, 1914; McAtee et al., 1940; Tolley-Stokes, 2008).
Slosson is considered a significant author in the "racist" (Regionalism) movement of the late 19th century (Edwin Mellen Press, 2009). Most of her works were short stories
, many published in The Atlantic Monthly and Harper's Bazaar
. Some were collected into book form. Literary works by Annie Trumbull Slosson include:
Noted angling story teller, Henry Van Dyke
said this about Fishin' Jimmy:(Van Dyke 1932)
Slosson devoted much of her time to entomology later in life, especially after 1886, though she had no formal college-level training in entomology (Tolley-Stokes, 2008; Nadel, 2005). In 1892, she was one of the founding members of the New York Entomological Society (and its first female member), and it met for some time in her home in New York City
. Later, through her efforts, The Society met at the American Museum of Natural History
. She wrote numerous scientific papers in the field of entomology, and a few in botany
as well (Davis, 1926). Her entomological papers were published in a number of journals, including Journal of the New York Entomological Society, Bulletin of the Brooklyn Entomological Society, Entomological News, Canadian Entomologist, and Entomologica Americana (Tolley-Stokes, 2008). Slosson collected extensively in Florida
(especially near Miami) as well as New York
and the White Mountains
of New Hampshire (Nadel, 2005; Tolley-Stokes, 2008). Over one-hundred newly-described insects bear the species epithet slossoni (or slossonae) in her honor (Edwin Mellen Press 2009; Hadley), often because she collected the first specimen. Her collection of some 35,000 insects was donated to the American Museum of Natural History
(Hadley; Tolley-Stokes, 2008). Some examples of insects named for her include:
She described, herself, several species, including:
By the time of her death in 1926, she was known for her entomological work, but her fiction was largely forgotten (Edwin Mellen Press, 2009).
Several others of her family were notable in literary, scientific, and religious life (McAtee et al., 1940; Tolley-Stokes, 2008):
Stonington, Connecticut
The Town of Stonington is located in New London County, Connecticut, in the state's southeastern corner. It includes the borough of Stonington, the villages of Pawcatuck, Lords Point, Wequetequock, the eastern halves of the villages of Mystic and Old Mystic...
- 4 October 1926 New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
) was an author and entomologist
Entomology
Entomology is the scientific study of insects, a branch of arthropodology...
. (Her given name was Anna, but she appears to have used Annie consistently.) She was the daughter of Gurdon Trumbull (1790 - 1875) and Sarah Ann (Swan) Trumbull of Stonington, Connecticut
Stonington, Connecticut
The Town of Stonington is located in New London County, Connecticut, in the state's southeastern corner. It includes the borough of Stonington, the villages of Pawcatuck, Lords Point, Wequetequock, the eastern halves of the villages of Mystic and Old Mystic...
. Her father, Gurdon Trumbull was originally from Norwich
Norwich, Connecticut
Regular steamship service between New York and Boston helped Norwich to prosper as a shipping center through the early part of the 20th century. During the Civil War, Norwich once again rallied and saw the growth of its textile, armaments, and specialty item manufacturing...
. He was a merchant and local politician in Stonington, and made a fortune in the whale
Whaling in America
The origins of whaling in the United States date to the 17th century in New England and peaked in 1846-52. New Bedford, Massachusetts, sent out its last whaler, the John R. Mantra, in 1927.-History:...
and seal
Seal hunting
Seal hunting, or sealing, is the personal or commercial hunting of seals. The hunt is currently practiced in five countries: Canada, where most of the world's seal hunting takes place, Namibia, the Danish region of Greenland, Norway and Russia...
fisheries active in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
at that time. Annie Trumbull was the ninth of ten children, seven of whom survived to adulthood. In 1852 the family moved to Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
, where she attended public schools and Hartford Female Seminary
Hartford Female Seminary
Hartford Female Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut was established in 1823 by Catharine Beecher, making it one of the first major educational institutions for women in the United States. By 1826 it had enrolled nearly 100 students and implemented radical programs such as physical education courses...
. She was married in Hartford on 27 June 1867 (another date given is 6 June) to Edward Slosson (circa 1814 - 1871), a lawyer and politician in New York City. They had no children. Annie Trumbull Slosson died at her home (26 Grammercy Park, New York City) on 4 October 1926 and was buried in Hartford, Connecticut (Leonard, 1914; McAtee et al., 1940; Tolley-Stokes, 2008).
Slosson is considered a significant author in the "racist" (Regionalism) movement of the late 19th century (Edwin Mellen Press, 2009). Most of her works were short stories
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
, many published in The Atlantic Monthly and Harper's Bazaar
Harper's Bazaar
Harper’s Bazaar is an American fashion magazine, first published in 1867. Harper’s Bazaar is published by Hearst and, as a magazine, considers itself to be the style resource for “women who are the first to buy the best, from casual to couture.”...
. Some were collected into book form. Literary works by Annie Trumbull Slosson include:
- The China Hunter’s Club (1878)
- Aunt Randy. An entomological sketch (1887)
- Fishin' Jimmy (1889)
- Seven Dreamers (1890)
- Dumb Foxglove and Other Stories (1898)
- A local colorist (1909)
Noted angling story teller, Henry Van Dyke
Henry van Dyke
Henry Jackson van Dyke was an American author, educator, and clergyman.-Biography:Henry van Dyke was born on November 11, 1852 in Germantown, Pennsylvania in the United States....
said this about Fishin' Jimmy:(Van Dyke 1932)
The loveliest of all her simple narratives is that which I have chosen to stand near the end of this book,--a kind of benediction on anglers.
Slosson devoted much of her time to entomology later in life, especially after 1886, though she had no formal college-level training in entomology (Tolley-Stokes, 2008; Nadel, 2005). In 1892, she was one of the founding members of the New York Entomological Society (and its first female member), and it met for some time in her home in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Later, through her efforts, The Society met at the American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History , located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, United States, is one of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world...
. She wrote numerous scientific papers in the field of entomology, and a few in botany
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
as well (Davis, 1926). Her entomological papers were published in a number of journals, including Journal of the New York Entomological Society, Bulletin of the Brooklyn Entomological Society, Entomological News, Canadian Entomologist, and Entomologica Americana (Tolley-Stokes, 2008). Slosson collected extensively in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
(especially near Miami) as well as New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and the White Mountains
White Mountains (New Hampshire)
The White Mountains are a mountain range covering about a quarter of the state of New Hampshire and a small portion of western Maine in the United States. Part of the Appalachian Mountains, they are considered the most rugged mountains in New England...
of New Hampshire (Nadel, 2005; Tolley-Stokes, 2008). Over one-hundred newly-described insects bear the species epithet slossoni (or slossonae) in her honor (Edwin Mellen Press 2009; Hadley), often because she collected the first specimen. Her collection of some 35,000 insects was donated to the American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History , located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, United States, is one of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world...
(Hadley; Tolley-Stokes, 2008). Some examples of insects named for her include:
- Coelioxys slossoni, a Leaf-cutterMegachilidaeThe Megachilidae are a cosmopolitan family of solitary bees whose pollen-carrying structure is restricted to the ventral surface of the abdomen...
bee (BugGuide) - Rhopalotria slossoni, a weevil associated with cycadsCycadCycads are seed plants typically characterized by a stout and woody trunk with a crown of large, hard and stiff, evergreen leaves. They usually have pinnate leaves. The individual plants are either all male or all female . Cycads vary in size from having a trunk that is only a few centimeters...
, especially Zamia pumilaZamia pumilaZamia pumila, or Coontie, is a small, tough, woody cycad of the West Indies and Cuba. Zamia pumila was the first species described for the genus and hence is the type species for the genus Zamia and the family Zamiaceae....
(BugGuide) - Zethus slossonae, a wasp (BugGuide)
She described, herself, several species, including:
- Eubaphe meridiana, a geometer moth (BugGuide)
By the time of her death in 1926, she was known for her entomological work, but her fiction was largely forgotten (Edwin Mellen Press, 2009).
Several others of her family were notable in literary, scientific, and religious life (McAtee et al., 1940; Tolley-Stokes, 2008):
- James Hammond TrumbullJames Hammond TrumbullJames Hammond Trumbull was an American scholar and philologist.He was born in Stonington, Connecticut. He studied at Tracy's Academy in Norwich and at Yale University from 1838, but ill-health prevented his graduation, he was enrolled in 1850 and received an honorary LLD in 1871...
(brother), philologist - Gurdon Trumbull, Jr. (1841 - 1903, brother), ornithologist and artist/illustrator
- Henry Clay TrumbullHenry Clay TrumbullHenry Clay Trumbull was an American clergyman and author, born on June 8, 1830, at Stonington, Connecticut, and educated at Williston Northampton School. He became a world famous editor, author, and pioneer of the Sunday School Movement. Poor health kept him from formal education past the age of...
(brother) author, editor, and Sunday-school missionary - William Cowper PrimeWilliam Cowper PrimeWilliam Cowper Prime was an American journalist, art historian, numismatist, and travel writer, younger brother of S. I. Prime and E. D. G. Prime, born at Cambridge, New York. William Prime graduated Princeton in 1843 and delivered a poem at commencement. He was admitted to the New York Bar in...
(brother-in-law), art historian, married in 1851 to sister Mary Hollister Trumbull, (1829 or 1830 - 1872). Annie traveled with William Prime after both were widowed, and he also was involved with the New York Entomological Society (Nadel, 2005; Leng, 1918; Tolley-Stokes, 2008).