On this day in 1849 -- 175 years ago -- Frederick Wadsworth Loring was born in Newton, a suburb of Boston. He was a poet, playwright, novelist, and journalist and died just weeks before his 22nd birthday. Those of you who know me remember that I have been researching (obsessed with) Fred ever since I … Continue reading Happy Birthday, Fred
California history
Rose
I'm reaching back into my Arequipa Sanatorium book again for the last Women's History Month post, to bring you the story of a former patient that I had the great fortune to meet. In the early spring of 2018 I was working on the manuscript for my book when I got an email from a … Continue reading Rose
Mrs. Dr. Brown of San Francisco
Charlotte Blake at Elmira College, 1866. As we start Women's History Month, I want to tell you about someone I have long admired and written about: Dr. Charlotte Blake Brown. In 1874 Dr. Brown and her family moved from Napa to San Francisco, where she hung out her shingle as one of the city’s few … Continue reading Mrs. Dr. Brown of San Francisco
Louisiana Foster: Not Your Usual Debutante
Everybody loves a rebel. Well, I do, anyway. Especially female ones. One of my favorite rebel girls was Louisiana Foster, whose life was as unusual as her name. She was born on July 18, 1887 in San Rafael, in Marin County, north of San Francisco. Her family was both wealthy and philanthropic, and she seemed … Continue reading Louisiana Foster: Not Your Usual Debutante
When worlds collide…with clowns
Anyone who studies or writes about history will tell you that people, stories, facts, and weirdness will often intersect. I found that out when I was writing my book Arequipa Sanatorium: Life in California's Lung Resort for Women back in 2018. I discovered that the work of one of the sanatorium's doctors spilled over into … Continue reading When worlds collide…with clowns
Tumblereads: A New Twist on the Old West 