Nov 26 2008
Lost Authoress….
The preface of Dr Smith’s Smaller Classical Mythology (a.k.a. A Smaller Classical Mythology: With Translations from the Ancient Poets, and Questions Upon the Work) states: “The following work has been prepared by a lady, for the use of schools and young persons of both sexes. In common with many other teachers, she has long felt the want of a consecutive account of the Heathen Deities, which might safely be placed in the hands of the young.”
What do I think about this, let me count the thoughts:
#1: So Dr Smith’s Smaller Classical Mythology was not written by Dr Smith. The work was in fact “drawn up under his superintendence” at which point he put his name not only on the cover, but in the title as it is printed on the spine of the book.
#2: The female author of the actual volume is not even named.
#3: The involvement of a lady writer is implied as helping in removing (I imagine with some difficulty) the sexual references from ancient Greek mythology.
#4: No wonder there is an association between women and book writing. Because during a period ranging roughly from the mid-eighteen century to the Edwardian period when this book was published many women from reasonably well-off or traditionally higher class (but sometimes impoverished) families were very well educated–but barred from almost every profession. The only way a woman of education but little fortune could earn money was as a teacher or as an author (or in this case, both). And the feminization of these professions extends to some extent to the present day.
#5: At least 10 editions were printed within the life of the books copyright. I wonder how much the “lady” was paid for her scholarship and authorship.
#6: I would love to somehow, no matter how belatedly, discover the name of the actual author of the Smaller Classical Mythology, but does anyone know how this could be done? Because the copy I own (a 1905 10th edition) credits only William Smith as the “editor” and other version available online (i.e the 1882 original) simply state the book is “by” William Smith.
p.s. 5 bonus points for anyone who can come up with the author’s name. (Current point tally–Judi: 1, Boone: 1). You my exchange 100 points for a toaster, or one of my scissor sculptures–whichever you prefer.
I did some Googling around but the book gives no dredit. I think I would have to start digging deeper into the general series and Mr Smith himself.
Hmmm, with such a name as William Smith, (I believe William, aka Bill Smith) was the most popular name for a boy in the US in 1963, that this could actually be a pseudonym?
Just a thought.