Lucy Larcom
Lucy Larcom was a notable nineteenth-century poet, author, and educator, born in 1824 in Beverly, Massachusetts. As the ninth of ten children in a family shaped by the maritime profession, Larcom faced significant challenges after her father's death when she was just ten years old. Her mother relocated the family to Lowell, Massachusetts, where she established a factory dormitory for female mill workers, prompting Larcom to begin working in the mills at the age of eleven. Rather than succumbing to the harsh realities of millwork, she documented her experiences, which later informed her memoir, *A New England Girlhood*, and her short stories, including "Among Lowell Mill Girls: A Reminiscence."
Larcom's journey took her to Illinois in 1846, where she taught in public schools and pursued her education at Monticello Seminary. After returning to Beverly, she taught literature before moving to Wheaton Seminary in Norton, Massachusetts, where she became known for her innovative teaching methods and established the school newspaper. Throughout her life, Larcom contributed to literature and education, serving as an editor for the children's journal *Our Young Folks* from 1865 to 1873. She passed away in 1893, leaving behind a legacy as a passionate advocate for education and the experiences of women in her era.
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Subject Terms
Lucy Larcom
Poet
- Born: March 5, 1824
- Birthplace: Beverly, Massachusetts
- Died: April 17, 1893
Biography
Lucy Larcom, a nineteenth century poet, author, and teacher, was born in Beverly, Massachusetts, in 1824. She was the ninth child in a family of ten children born to Benjamin Larcom, a sea captain, and Lois Barrett Larcom. At the age of ten, Larcom’s father died and her mother moved the family to Lowell, Massachusetts. In order to support her large family, her mother established a factory dormitory for female mill workers.
When she was eleven years old, Larcom began working at the mill. Despite the hardships her family endured, Larcom’s spirit remained irrepressible. Instead of giving in to the drudgery of millwork, she chronicled her experiences. Later, she accumulated these notes into her memoir, A New England Girlhood, and short stories such as “Among Lowell Mill Girls: A Reminiscence.”
In 1846, Larcom moved to Illinois with her sister. While in Illinois, Larcom taught in the public school system and attended Monticello Seminary in Godfrey, Illinois. After receiving her degree, Larcom returned to Beverly, Massachusetts, and taught literature.
In 1854, Larcom began teaching English literature and rhetoric at Wheaton Seminary in Norton, Massachusetts. She remained in this position for eight years, developing a reputation as an innovative and talented teacher. She also founded the Wheaton Seminary school newspaper. In her later years, Larcom spent her time writing and editing. From 1865 to 1873, she worked as an editor for the children’s journal Our Young Folks. Larcom died in 1893 at the age of sixty-nine.