Elizabeth Roberts MacDonald

Elizabeth Roberts MacDonald (née, Roberts; 17 February 1864 – 8 November 1922) was a Canadian writer of poetry, children's literature, essays, and short stories. She regularly contributed articles to a number of Canadian and U.S. dailies. MacDonald was also one of the leaders of women's suffrage in Canada. She died in 1922.

Early life and education

Jane Elizabeth Gostwycke (or, "Gostwick") Roberts was born 17 February 1864, in the "Old Rectory" at Westcock, New Brunswick. Her father was the Rev. Canon George Goodridge Roberts, Rector of Fredericton, New Brunswick, and Canon of the Cathedral there. He was a cultivated, scholarly gentleman of old English descent. Her mother was Emma Wetmore (Bliss) Roberts. Her siblings were Charles G. D. Roberts, William Carman Roberts, and Theodore Goodridge Roberts ("Thede") – a family remarkable for the variety and richness of their contribution to the literature of Canada.

On winter evenings, the favourite gathering place was about the great centre table in the sitting room, where the young people read aloud for each other's amusement or edification the rhymes or stories which the day had called forth. Spirited discussions frequently arose, but the utmost good humour prevailed and final decisions on most questions were sought and accepted from the parents. The informal gathering gave a training which no school or carefully planned course of study could have achieved. In summer weather the garden was the favourite meeting place, along with their cousin, Bliss Carman. It is of this scented garden that MacDonald wrote about in her book, Dream Verses and Others.