Mary Eastman American writer Date of Birth: 01.01.1818 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Marriage and Move to Minnesota
3. Exploring Native American Culture
4. The "Dacotah" Manuscript
5. Move to Washington and Literary Career

Early Life and Education

Mary Henderson was born into a wealthy plantation-owning family in Warrenton, Virginia, in 1818. Her father's appointment as a surgeon at the military academy in West Point led the family to relocate there.

Marriage and Move to Minnesota

At the age of 17, Mary married Seth Eastman, a 27-year-old officer and artist (it was his second marriage). They moved to Fort Snelling in Minnesota, where Captain Eastman was assigned as commandant.

Exploring Native American Culture

During her stay in Minnesota, Mary immersed herself in the lives and customs of the Sioux tribes near the fort. Her observations culminated in her landmark book, "Dacotah, or Life and Legends of the Sioux Around Fort Snelling" (1849), illustrated by her husband.

The "Dacotah" Manuscript

Mary's "Dacotah" manuscript was submitted to the U.S. Congress in 1849 and deposited in the Library of Congress. It is currently available on Project Gutenberg.

Move to Washington and Literary Career

After their mission at Fort Snelling, the Eastmans relocated to Washington, D.C. In response to Harriet Beecher Stowe's anti-slavery novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin" (1852), Mary wrote "Aunt Phillis's Cabin; or, Southern Life As It Is" (1852). The book became a bestseller, selling between 20,000 and 30,000 copies, making it one of the most popular works in the "Anti-Tom" genre.