Todd, Mabel Loomis (1858–1932)
Todd, Mabel Loomis (1858–1932)
American poet, editor, and writer of travel books. Born Mabel Loomis, Nov 10, 1858, in Cambridge, Massachusetts; died Oct 14, 1932; dau. of Eben J. Loomis (poet-astronomer) and Mary Alden (Wilder) Loomis (direct descendant of John Alden); graduate of Georgetown Seminary; studied music and painting in Boston; married David Todd (professor of astronomy and director of observatory at Amherst), 1879; children: Millicent Todd Bingham (1880–1968, m. Walter Van Dyke Bingham).
Accompanied professor-husband to Japan to serve as his assistant, while observing the total eclipse of the sun (1887), then wrote of the expedition for several American newspapers and magazines; with husband, traveled to West Africa to view another eclipse (1889), then followed the sun for almost 20 years—to Tripoli, Dutch East Indies, Chile, and Russia—while continuing to write of experiences; while living in Amherst, cultivated a relationship with Emily Dickinson and became romantically involved with Emily's brother Austin; following Dickinson's death, edited and published 2 volumes of Dickinson's poetry (which included biographical prefaces).
See also Polly Longsworth, Austin and Mabel: The Amherst Affair and Love Letters of Austin Dickinson and Mabel Loomis Todd (Holt, 1984); and Women in World History.