Rebecca Rush
Encyclopedia
Rebecca Rush was a writer in the early United States
. She published her only known book, Kelroy
, in 1812 at the age of thirty-three. Unfortunately, the book was not much noticed because it appeared on the eve of the War of 1812
, which overshadowed its publication.
Very little is known about Rebecca Rush. The Critical Dictionary of English Literature and British and American Authors (1897) has the following entry about her:
Rebecca's mother was Mary 'Polly' Rench who married Jacob Rush on November 17, 1777 in Pennsylvania, while avoiding the British Army which had occupied Philadelphia. 'Miss Polly' had been a portrait painter, specialising in miniatures, prior to her marriage, and in turn, Charles Willson Peale
painted her portrait in 1786.
Rebecca's uncle was Dr. Benjamin Rush
, signatory to the 1776 Declaration of Independence.
Another uncle was Dr. James Rench of Cedar Creek Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware, a member of the Delaware Assembly and Lieutenant Colonel of the Sussex Co. Militia, who was charged with treason during the Revolutionary War.
Rebecca's uncle by marriage, husband of Sarah Rench, was the colonial portrait painter, James Claypoole, Jr.
Rebecca's maternal grandfather, Captain Walter Rench, ship master, was lost at sea some fourteen years before her birth.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. She published her only known book, Kelroy
Kelroy
Kelroy was published in 1812 by United States writer Rebecca Rush. Although the novel has been much admired by scholars of this period, the books did not receive much attention when it was published...
, in 1812 at the age of thirty-three. Unfortunately, the book was not much noticed because it appeared on the eve of the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, which overshadowed its publication.
Very little is known about Rebecca Rush. The Critical Dictionary of English Literature and British and American Authors (1897) has the following entry about her:
-
- Rush, Miss Rebecca, a daughter of Judge Jacob Rush. . . was the author of Kelroy, a Novel,
by a Lady of Philadelphia, 1812, 12 mo. Purchased by Bradford and Inskeep for $100.
- Rush, Miss Rebecca, a daughter of Judge Jacob Rush. . . was the author of Kelroy, a Novel,
Rebecca's mother was Mary 'Polly' Rench who married Jacob Rush on November 17, 1777 in Pennsylvania, while avoiding the British Army which had occupied Philadelphia. 'Miss Polly' had been a portrait painter, specialising in miniatures, prior to her marriage, and in turn, Charles Willson Peale
Charles Willson Peale
Charles Willson Peale was an American painter, soldier and naturalist. He is best remembered for his portrait paintings of leading figures of the American Revolution, as well as establishing one of the first museums....
painted her portrait in 1786.
Rebecca's uncle was Dr. Benjamin Rush
Benjamin Rush
Benjamin Rush was a Founding Father of the United States. Rush lived in the state of Pennsylvania and was a physician, writer, educator, humanitarian and a Christian Universalist, as well as the founder of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania....
, signatory to the 1776 Declaration of Independence.
Another uncle was Dr. James Rench of Cedar Creek Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware, a member of the Delaware Assembly and Lieutenant Colonel of the Sussex Co. Militia, who was charged with treason during the Revolutionary War.
Rebecca's uncle by marriage, husband of Sarah Rench, was the colonial portrait painter, James Claypoole, Jr.
Rebecca's maternal grandfather, Captain Walter Rench, ship master, was lost at sea some fourteen years before her birth.