While touring the Lincoln-Tallman museum here in town we took time to look at a few of the books displayed around the house and tour guide Vickie read aloud from the book 'Poems of Passion' published in 1883.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919) was a popular American author and poet who was born just up the road from where I live.
She started writing at a young age, with her first poem published when she was just 13.
She is most famous for the opening lines of her poem "Solitude":
"Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone."
Her collection "Poems of Passion" (1883) was a major success, selling over 60,000 copies in two years.
Her work often focused on themes of positive thinking, optimism, and her interest in spiritualism.
Over 140 years ago Wilcox was an activist, advocating for animal rights and vegetarianism. An interesting woman for sure!
