Part of the American History & Genealogy Project

Clara Jessup Moore 1824 ~ 1899

Clara Jessup Moore

Poet; novelist and philanthropist; was born February 16, 1824, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her mother's family name is found in the Doomsday Book compiled in 1086. She is of distinguished ancestry, and descended from some of the prominent families of Virginia, Massachusetts and other states of the Union. One of her ancestors was lieutenant in King Phillip's War, and many of the prominent men of pioneer days are among Mrs. Moore's ancestors. She became the wife of Bloomfield Haines Moore, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in October, 1842. After her marriage her home in Philadelphia became the resort of literary people, among them some of the most gifted authors of the day, and at this time she began her literary work.

In 1855 she was widely known as a writer of prose and poetry, and her name appears in "Hart's Female Prose Writers of America." She is the author of a long list of novels and short stories. She did splendid work on the Sanitary Commission during the war, being corresponding secretary of the Women's Pennsylvania Branch.

She also organized the special relief committee, which took such an active part in hospital work during the Civil War, a non-sectional organization. After the war Mrs. Moore resumed her literary work, and has given from the proceeds of her labors liberally to works of charity. One of her articles, which appeared in Lippincott's Magazine in 1873, under the title "Unsettled Points of Etiquette," drew upon her much unfavorable comment.

In 1873 she published a revised edition of "The Young Lady's Friend," and in 1875 a collection of verses, followed by many others; one "On Dangerous Ground'' reached its seventh edition, and was translated into Swedish and French. It is eminently a book for women.

She at one time maintained her residence in London, England, which was a center for literary and scientific men and women of the day.

Women of America

Source: The Part Taken by Women in American History, By Mrs. John A. Logan, Published by The Perry-Nalle Publishing Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1912.