Clapp, Louise (1819–1906)
Clapp, Louise (1819–1906)
American writer and educator. Name variations: Louise Amelia Knapp Smith Clapp or Clappe; Louisa Amelia Knapp Smith; (pseudonyms) Shirley; Dame Shirley. Born Louisa Amelia Knapp Smith, July 28, 1819, in Elizabeth, New Jersey; died Feb 9, 1906, in Hanover Township, outside Morristown, New Jersey; m. Fayette Clapp, c. 1848 (div. 1857); children: (adopted her niece) Genevieve Stebbins.
With husband, lived for 14 months in the Sierra Nevada mountains in 2 gold camps, Rich Bar and Indian Bar (1851–52); known primarily for letters written under pen name "Shirley" to her sister Mary Jane (aka Molly) describing life in the camps (23 of these "Shirley letters" were published serially in Pioneer [1854–55]); served as teacher in San Francisco public schools (1854–78). Bret Harte is said to have borrowed material from the "Shirley letters" for his stories.