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HHALE, SARAH JOSEPHA BUELL (24 October 1788, Newport, N.H.–30 April1879, Philadelphia). Education: Educated at home by family members. Career:Schoolteacher, 1806–13; writer, 1823–77; editor, Ladies’ Magazine (later AmericanLadies’ Magazine), 1828–37; editor, Godey’s Lady’s Book, 1837–77.A magazine editor, writer, and social reformer, Sarah Hale was born in Newport,New Hampshire, the daughter of Gordon Buell and Martha Whittlesey, whowere farmers. She was educated at home by her mother and by her older brother.After teaching school for five years, she married David Hale, a lawyer, in 1813.Following her husband’s death in 1822, Hale began writing in order to supporther family of five children. In 1827 she published a successful novel, Northwood,that portrayed domestic habits during the postcolonial period. It was also one ofthe first American novels to deal with the issue of slavery, which she describedas a “stain on our national character.” Besides writing numerous other booksduring her career, Hale composed poetry. Her most famous poem, “Mary Had aLittle Lamb,” first appeared in 1830 in her book Poems for Our Children.Hale’s popularity as a writer convinced a publishing house in Boston to hireher as editor of the first American periodical directed exclusively at women. Inthe inaugural issue of Ladies’ Magazine, which appeared in January 1828, Halestated that the publication would print material that aided “female improvement.”In 1837 she accepted an offer to become the literary editor of Godey’s Lady’sBook, into which Ladies’ Magazine was then incorporated. Although she remainedin Boston until her sons graduated from college, in 1841 Hale moved toPhiladelphia, where Godey’s was based. After converting to the EpiscopalChurch, she became an active member of Philadelphia’s prestigious Holy TrinityChurch.During the nearly 50 years she worked as an editor, Hale supported numerous