Phoebe Cary

Date of Birth: September 4, 1824

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: July 31, 1871

Biography

Phoebe Cary was an American poet born on September 4, 1824, in Mount Healthy, Ohio. She was the younger sister of the poet Alice Cary, and the two shared a close bond throughout their lives, often collaborating on literary projects. Phoebe Cary’s poetry is known for its simplicity, moral themes, and lyrical quality. Raised on a farm, Phoebe and Alice began writing poetry as children. They received little formal education but were avid readers, which fueled their literary ambitions. In 1852, they published their first joint collection, “Poems of Alice and Phoebe Cary,” which garnered positive reviews and established them in the literary community. Phoebe moved to New York City in 1852, where she continued her literary career, contributing to various periodicals and publishing additional collections of poetry. She became a prominent figure in the literary circles of her time, known for her wit, charm, and engaging personality. Throughout her life, Phoebe was also an advocate for social causes, including women’s rights and abolitionism. She never married and remained close to her sister Alice until Alice’s death in 1871. Phoebe Cary passed away shortly after, on July 31, 1871, in Newport, Rhode Island, at the age of 46.

5 Interesting Facts about Phoebe Cary

1. Phoebe Cary and her sister Alice Cary were both self-taught poets who began writing at a young age.

2. The Cary sisters’ home in New York City was a popular gathering place for literary figures, including Horace Greeley and P.T. Barnum.

3. Phoebe Cary was an ardent advocate for social reforms, including women’s rights and abolitionism.

4. One of Phoebe Cary’s most famous poems, “One Sweetly Solemn Thought,” was frequently set to music and became a popular hymn.

5. Despite her literary success, Phoebe faced financial difficulties and health problems throughout her life.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Phoebe Cary

1. “And though the world has gone awry, and nothing seems the same, yet still to me, the stars on high are always in their frame.”

2. “One sweetly solemn thought comes to me o’er and o’er; I am nearer home today than I ever have been before.”

3. “True worth is in being, not seeming; in doing, each day that goes by, some little good—not in dreaming of great things to do by and by.”

4. “I know not what the future hath of marvel or surprise, assured alone that life and death His mercy underlies.”

5. “Faith is the subtle chain which binds us to the infinite.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Phoebe Cary did not accumulate significant wealth from her literary career. Her highest net worth is not well-documented, but she is remembered more for her contributions to literature and social causes than for financial success.