Eleanor Hoyt Brainerd
Encyclopedia
Eleanor Hoyt Brainerd was an American
author of the early 20th century. She published at least 10 novels, mostly written for young women.
, the historic home of Robert Lucas
, in Iowa City. Her parents, Walter Hoyt and Louisa Smith were active in the abolitionist movement, Walter's family helped found the Eleutherian College
. Eleanor's 1919 novel, Our Little Old Lady, is a biography of her parents.
, The Saturday Evening Post, and Everybody’s Magazine, typically in serial format. Her fictional novels often follow the same formual as the Pollyanna
or Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
series, in which a young girl, often an orphan, tries to improve the lives of adults through pluck and daring.
Three of Eleanor Hoyt Brainerd's novels were made into silent films, Pegeen (1920), How Could You Jean? (1918), and For Love of Mary Ellen (1915). The most famous of these, How Could You Jean?
, was directed by William Desmond Taylor
and starred Mary Pickford
. It was released in 1918.
, at her “Faraway Farm” retreat. Eleanor married Charles Chisholm Brainerd, an attorney, in 1904. Charles was the nephew of the well-known writer Margaret Elizabeth Sangster
. Charles and Eleanor retired to Pasadena, California, and are buried in Oakland Cemetery, Iowa City.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author of the early 20th century. She published at least 10 novels, mostly written for young women.
Childhood
Eleanor was born at Plum Grove Historic HousePlum Grove Historic House
Plum Grove is a historic house located in Iowa City, United States. Plum Grove was the retirement home of Gov. Robert Lucas and the childhood home of the author Eleanor Hoyt Brainerd. Built in 1844, Lucas lived there with his wife, Friendly, and several children and grandchildren...
, the historic home of Robert Lucas
Robert Lucas (governor)
Robert Lucas was the 12th Governor of the U.S. state of Ohio, serving from 1832 to 1836. He served as the first Governor of Iowa Territory from 1838 to 1841.-Early life:...
, in Iowa City. Her parents, Walter Hoyt and Louisa Smith were active in the abolitionist movement, Walter's family helped found the Eleutherian College
Eleutherian College
A U.S. National Historic Landmark, Eleutherian College, founded in 1848 as Eleutherian Institute, was the first college in Indiana to admit students without regard to race or sex. It is now a public museum....
. Eleanor's 1919 novel, Our Little Old Lady, is a biography of her parents.
Career
Eleanor began her professional career in New York City as a writer and editor for the New York Sun, specializing in fashion writing. Her novel In Vanity Fair drew heavily from her coverage of fashion in Paris and New York. She published extensively in magazines, including Collier’s, The Girls’ Own Paper, Ladies' Home JournalLadies' Home Journal
Ladies' Home Journal is an American magazine which first appeared on February 16, 1883, and eventually became one of the leading women's magazines of the 20th century in the United States...
, The Saturday Evening Post, and Everybody’s Magazine, typically in serial format. Her fictional novels often follow the same formual as the Pollyanna
Pollyanna
Pollyanna is a best-selling 1913 novel by Eleanor H. Porter that is now considered a classic of children's literature, with the title character's name becoming a popular term for someone with the same optimistic outlook. The book was such a success, that Porter soon produced a sequel, Pollyanna...
or Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm is a classic American 1903 children's novel by Kate Douglas Wiggin that tells the story of Rebecca Rowena Randall and her two stern aunts in the village of Riverboro, Maine. Rebecca's joy for life inspires her aunts, but she faces many trials in her young life, gaining...
series, in which a young girl, often an orphan, tries to improve the lives of adults through pluck and daring.
Three of Eleanor Hoyt Brainerd's novels were made into silent films, Pegeen (1920), How Could You Jean? (1918), and For Love of Mary Ellen (1915). The most famous of these, How Could You Jean?
How Could You Jean?
How Could You, Jean? was a silent comedy-drama film, starring Mary Pickford, directed by William Desmond Taylor, and based on a novel by Eleanor Hoyt Brainerd...
, was directed by William Desmond Taylor
William Desmond Taylor
William Desmond Taylor was an Irish-born American actor, successful film director of silent movies and a popular figure in the growing Hollywood film colony of the 1910s and early 1920s...
and starred Mary Pickford
Mary Pickford
Mary Pickford was a Canadian-born motion picture actress, co-founder of the film studio United Artists and one of the original 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
. It was released in 1918.
Personal life
Many of her novels were written in East Hampton, ConnecticutEast Hampton, Connecticut
East Hampton is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 13,352 at the 2000 census. The town center village is listed as a census-designated place...
, at her “Faraway Farm” retreat. Eleanor married Charles Chisholm Brainerd, an attorney, in 1904. Charles was the nephew of the well-known writer Margaret Elizabeth Sangster
Margaret Elizabeth Sangster
Margaret Elizabeth Sangster was an American poet, author, and editor. She was popular in the late 19th and early 20th century.- Childhood :...
. Charles and Eleanor retired to Pasadena, California, and are buried in Oakland Cemetery, Iowa City.
Published novels
- 1902 The Misdemeanors of Nancy. Doubleday, New York. Republished in 1903 and 1904 (as Eleanor Hoyt).
- 1904 Nancy’s Country Christmas, and Other Stories. illustr. Anna Whelan BettsAnna Whelan BettsAnna Whelan Betts was an American illustrator and art teacher who was noted for her paintings of Victorian women in romantic settings...
, Doubleday, New York. - 1905 Concerning Belinda. Doubleday, New York. Reprinted 1969, Books for Library Press, Freeport, New York.
- 1906 In Vanity Fair: A Tale of Frocks and Femininity. Moffat, Yard and Co., New York.
- 1907 Bettina. Doubleday, New York.
- 1910 The Personal Conduct of Belinda. Doubleday, New York.
- 1912 For Love of Mary Ellen: A Romance of Childhood. Harper, New York.
- 1915 Pegeen. Century, New York.
- 1917 How Could You, Jean? Doubleday, Garden City, New York.
- 1919 Our Little Old Lady. Doubleday, Garden City, New York.