Madeline Leslie

Harriette Newell Woods Baker (pen names Mrs. Madeline Leslie and Aunt Hattie; née Woods; August 19, 1815 – April 26, 1893) was an American author of books for children, and editor. Her career as an author began when she was about 30 years old. She devoted herself successfully to novels; but after about 15 years, she wrote popular religious literature. Her most famous book, Tim, the Scissors Grinder, sold half a million copies, and was translated into several languages. Baker published about 200 moral and religious tales under the pen name "Mrs. Madeline Leslie". She also wrote under her own name or initials, and under pseudonym "Aunt Hattie". She wrote chiefly for the young, and was still writing in 1893 when she died.

Early life and education

Harriette Newell Woods was born in Andover, Massachusetts on August 19, 1815 to Leonard Woods and Abigail Wheeler. She was one of the many children who were named after Harriet Newell, one of the first American missionaries. She was baptized on December 10, 1815 in Theological Seminary Church, which is now Philips Academy in Andover. Her father was the founder of Andover Theological Seminary and a friend of the polymath poet Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. She was called "Hatty" during her younger years. According to an account from her father, she nearly died of typhoid fever when she was about two years old.

When she was a child, her family had a house guest, William Schauffler, a German Jew who was sent to her father's care for his theological education. He remained in Andover for several years and most of the time in the Woods' house. Harriette noticed Schauffler had a grey overcoat that was too small for him and that he was shivering in the cold. This incident inspired her to form a sewing society with her Sunday School classmate, Elizabeth Stuart, and earn money to buy a cloak for Schauffler.