Mary Elizabeth Wilson Sherwood
Mary Elizabeth Sherwood (pen names: M. E. W. S., M.E.W. Sherwood, Mrs. John Sherwood; Wilson; October 27, 1826 – September 12, 1903) was an American author and socialite. She wrote short stories, poetry, several books, and etiquette manuals, in addition to contributing to many magazines and translating poems from European languages. Among her writings are "The Sarcasm of Destiny", "A Transplanted Rose", "Manners and Social Usages", "Sweet Briar", and "Roxobel". Sherwood gave readings in parlors for charitable objects, making selections from her own works, and made eight trips to Europe. Early years and education. Mary Elizabeth ("Lizzie ) Wilson was born in Keene, New Hampshire, October 27, 1826. She was the eldest daughter of Gen. James Wilson II, a member of Congress from New Hampshire, and Mary Low ( Richardson) Wilson. Mary had three younger brothers and three younger sisters. When her father was in Congress, the family lived in Washington, D.C. Soon after his election, Mary's mother died, leaving her the responsibility of taking care of the large family. She was intelligent, received a thorough education, and was acquainted with George Bancroft, John Lothrop Motley, William Cullen Bryant, William H. Prescott, and others. Her first literary work	Mary Elizabeth Wilson Sherwood
1815709	, at the age of seventeen, was an essay on the Novel of Jane Eyre" sent to the "New-York Tribune" in 1848, which attracted much friendly criticism. Family. On November 12, 1851, while living in Washington, D.C., she married John Sherwood, a lawyer from New York City, who died in 1894 or 1895. Their family consisted of four sons. James Wilson Sherwood died in infancy. John Philip Sherwood died at the age of 24. Samuel Sherwood became an artist. Arthur Murray Sherwood, the broker, was the father of Robert E. Sherwood, playwright, editor, and screenwriter. Career. Sherwood's literary work  included correspondence with eminent men and women abroad, and many contributions to the "Atlantic Monthly", "Harper's Bazaar", "Scribner's Magazine", "Appletons' Journal", the "New York Tribune", "The New York Times", the "New York World", and "Frank Leslie's Weekly". For years, she was a correspondent for the "Boston Traveller". Her work in journals, from Maine to Oregon, would fill many volumes. Among her published books were "The Sarcasm of Destiny" (New York, 1877); "Home Amusements" (1881); "Amenities of Home" (1881); "A Transplanted Rose" (1882); "Manners and Social Usages" (1884); "Royal Girls and Royal Courts" (Boston, 1887); and "Sweet Brier  (Boston, 1889). She wrote many poems, to which she signed the initials, M. E. W. S.", and translated some poems from European languages. She contributed some 300 short stories to various magazines and newspapers, many of which appeared anonymously. For years, Sherwood traveled extensively in Europe. There, she formed the acquaintance of Queen Victoria, and had three interviews with Margherita of Savoy, the Queen of Italy. Among her many testimonials of recognition abroad, she was decorated with the insignia of Officier d'Academie, an honor conferred by the French Minister of Public Instruction on persons who distinguished themselves in literary pursuits . It is said to be the first time this decoration was conferred upon an American woman. In 1883, the Sherwoods experienced financial losses which forced them to sell their home and furnishings in New York City. In 1885, Sherwood gave readings in her home in aid of the Mount Vernon Fund, and they became so popular, that she continued them for several years, giving the proceeds to charity, realizing over in that way. Her readings comprised essays on travel, literature and history. Sherwood served as president of "Causeries", a literary gathering of distinguished New York women and was a member  of several benevolent societies. In Sherwood's parlors hung the original drawings and paintings of her two artist sons. One was by Samuel, of his brother Philip, taken just before Philip's death; several were by Philip. In his name, Sherwood contributed to the funds of the Home for the Destitute Blind, the St. Joseph's Hospital, the Kindergarten for the Blind, the Woman's Exchange, the New York Diet Kitchen, the Manhattan Hospital and Dispensary, the Home of St. Elizabeth and various other schemes to care for children. She did much to advance literature and science in New York  City. She died suddenly at the Hotel Majestic, on Central Park West, between 71st and 72nd streets in Manhattan on September 12, 1903, aged 76.