Emily Chubbuck - Biography

Biography

Emily Chubbuck was born to poor parents in Eaton, New York on August 23, 1817. In 1834 she became a teacher and joined a Baptist church. In 1840 she entered the Utica female seminary and wrote her first book, Charles Linn, in 1841. She developed a literary friendship with Nathaniel Parker Willis, who she described as the foster-father of her intellect. Willis and Chubbuck first corresponded in June 1844 after her failed attempt at writing children's stories. She was published in Willis's New York Mirror, opening the door for contributions to other journals including The Columbian and Graham's Magazine. In the next two to three years she became known in the literary world under the pen name Fanny Forrester.

She met Adoniram Judson in December 1845 on his return to the United States. They married on June 22, 1846. On July 11, 1846, they sailed from Boston back to Burma where Judson had been a missionary for many years. Their daughter Emily Frances was born in 1847. A son Charles was born and died on the same day in 1850, three weeks after Judson's death at sea. After learning of his death, Chubbuck returned in poor health to the United States in 1851. She collected materials for Judson's biography that was written by Francis Wayland, then resumed writing herself.

Chubbuck died of consumption in Hamilton, New York on June 1, 1854.