Frances Miriam Whitcher
Frances Miriam Whitcher was a notable American humorist of the nineteenth century, recognized for her satirical storytelling that critiqued societal expectations imposed on women. Born in Whitesboro, New York, around 1811 or 1812, she showcased her literary talents early, composing poetry before she could write and joining the Moenian Circle, a literary group focused on satire. Whitcher gained popularity with her character, the Widow Bedott, and her stories often employed humor through malapropisms and vernacular language, which distinguished her work even before the emergence of similar styles in Mark Twain's writings.
Her stories, beginning with "The Widow Spriggins" and later "The Widow Bedott's Table Talk," revealed her keen observational skills and highlighted the absurdities of women's roles in society. Despite publishing anonymously, her identity as the pastor's wife became known, leading to controversy and ultimately the family's departure from Elmira, New York. Whitcher continued to write after returning to her hometown, producing works until her death in 1852. Her legacy includes posthumous collections that reflect her unique voice and satirical lens, leaving a lasting impact on American humor.
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Subject Terms
Frances Miriam Whitcher
Writer
- Born: November 1, 1811
- Birthplace: Whitesboro, New York
- Died: January 4, 1852
- Place of death: Whitesboro, New York
Biography
Frances Miriam Whitcher was a nineteenth century American humorist. Her satirical stories were written to show how women impeded their progress by allowing society to define their ambitions. Wheeler was a keen observer of people, and her women characters delighted readers with their absurd opinions and behaviors. Her use of malapropisms and vernacular add to the humor in her stories and gives her the distinction of using these devices well before Mark Twain wrote The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.Twain read her work a generation later and admired her skill in using what is known as the “messy” humorous story. This type of story begins with a narrator whose monologue meanders in so many different directions that the plot is lost. The author is left to create the humor from recreating the authentic voice of the character who narrates. Whitcher was a master of the “messy” humorous story.
Born in Whitesboro, New York, in either 1811 or 1812, Whitcher was the third youngest of fifteen children. Her parents ran an inn in Whitesboro. A gifted child, Whitcher was able to recite poetry from memory at age two and composed poetry before she could write. She attended local schools and studied French privately. In 1838, Whitcher joined the literary group the Moenian Circle, which was dedicated to satire. She produced her first published work, “The Widow Spriggins,” from pieces she composed for the group. In 1846, Whitcher published the short story “The Widow Bedott’s Table Talk” in the Saturday Gazette. The story was very popular, and Whitcher contributed eight more Widow Bedott tales to the paper.
In 1847, the author married Benjamin William Whitcher, the pastor of St John’s Episcopal Church. The newlyweds soon relocated to Elmira, New York, and Whitcher began contributing short stories to Godey’s Lady’s Book. The stories centered upon the wise Aunt Maguire, younger sister of the Widow Bedott. Soon Whitcher revived her Widow Bedott stories for the Saturday Gazette. Despite the fact that Whitcher published her stories anonymously, the residents of Elmira soon realized that the pastor’s wife was writing these satirical tales and they were greatly displeased. This led to the family’s removal from Elmira after a heated controversy. Whitcher returned to her hometown of Whitesboro, and her husband sought work at various parishes throughout the state.
She wrote several more Aunt Maguire and Widow Bedott pieces. After the birth of her daughter in 1849, Whitcher produced “Letters from Timberville” in three parts in Godey’s Lady’s Book. In 1851, she began her final work, “Mary Elmer,” a far more sentimental work than her usual satire. Whitcher died in 1852. Her work was published posthumously as The Widow Bedott Papers (1855) and Widow Spriggins, Mary Elmer, and Other Sketches (1867).