Myrta Lockett Avary was born on December 7, 1857 in Halifax County. Her parents were Harwood Alexander Lockett and Augusta Harper Lockett. In 1860 the Lockett family moved to Mecklenburg County, Virginia to operate the Lombardy Grove Tavern and plantation. Here Ms. Avary received a rudimentary education at Miss Betty Carter’s School in Boydton, VA and tutored by her brother Philip Lockett, a Randolph Macon College graduate. The seeds of a literary career were planted at Lombardy Grove. Ms. Avary was cultivated in the life and times of the Civil War, Reconstruction, and plantation life. Both of her older brothers were Civil War veterans who surrendered with Lee at Appomattox Courthouse. In 1884, Ms. Avary married Dr. James Corbin Avary of Atlanta, Georgia. Here she became an assistant to a young and aspired professional, wife, and mother. But tragedy destroyed those happy days. Her only infant son passed away and her husband became estranged.
Myrta boldly packed her belongings and struck out for New York City. In her teenage years she had successfully been published in the Tobacco Plant newspaper in Mecklenburg County and in the Petersburg Index newspaper. Her parents admonished Myrta for seeking a career instead of the traditional cult of domesticity. In 1893 Ms. Avary began publishing columns, short stories, and poetry in major newspapers and magazines such as The Current Literature, The Illustrated American, The Century, The Outlook, The Christian Herald, and Margaret Sangers Harper's Bazzar. She was often underpaid, overworked, and much of her published literature was uncredited.
Ms. Avary completed a course in shorthand and typing at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NYC. During her off days, Myrta boldly became a Progressive reform worker by volunteering at the Bowery Mission, helping to open the White Door Gospel Settlement House, and teaching a Fresh Air on Mont Lawn summer camp for underprivileged children. She also lent her pen to raise money for relief work in India, China, and military veterans.
In 1903 Ms. Avary returned to Atlanta and completed her first book that she had worked on for over ten years. A Virginia Girl In the Civil War, was well received and a first in many ways. Very little noteworthy literature from the perspective of southern women had ever gained national attention. In 1905 Myrta assisted in the editing of the first edition of A Diary From Dixie: Mary Boykin Chestnut. IN 1906 Myrta published a poem in Outlook magazine entitled “The Mother Heart”. This poem was given high marks and was a tribute to her deceased infant son James Avary. In 1906, Ms. Avary published “Dixie After the War”. This was a national best seller and reprinted in 1937. It is remarkable for a southern woman at the turn of the century to gain praise and acceptance from northern and southern readers. She always intended the book to be bridge between the north and south to bring Americans back together again. In 1910 Ms. Avary edited The Autobiography of Alexander Stephens. This book chronicles the life of the Confederate Vice President and focuses on his imprisonment after the Civil War.
Ms. Avary was close friends with the parents of Margaret Mitchell. As a young write Ms. Mitchell was influenced by the work of Myrta Lockett Avary and wrote this inscription into a copy of “Gone With The Wind”:
For: Myrta Lockett Avary, who broke the trail for writers like me. For without you and your books, this book would have never been written.
With much love,
Margaret Mitchell
In the 1930s, Ms. Avary moved to a retirement home in Atlanta and began the task of organizing her papers, correspondence, and unpublished works. The have found their way into the Kennan Library Atlanta, Georgia, the Virginia Historical Society Richmond, Virginia, the Swem Library at William Mary College, and the Rubenstein Library at Duke University. She passed away on February 14th, 1946. Even though most of her life was spent in faraway places such as Atlanta and New York City, her thoughts and writings were always of Virginia and her girlhood home at Lombardy Grove in Mecklenburg County. Her published works speak for themselves. Ms. Mitchell is right. Without the trail blazing of Myrta Lockett Avary it made have been difficult for figures in southern women’s literature to rise and tell their stories to the world. Myrta had to overcome her parent’s wishes, personal tragedy, and publishing world that was not ready for the contributions of women. But with courage and faith she persisted and opened the doors of possibility for so many. Nearly seventy years have passed now since Ms. Avary died and I think she was terrified that her work and writings would be lost forever. As we approach the 155th anniversary of Reconstruction now is the time to remember the life and work of a true trailblazer in Virginia’s long storied history.
Myrta boldly packed her belongings and struck out for New York City. In her teenage years she had successfully been published in the Tobacco Plant newspaper in Mecklenburg County and in the Petersburg Index newspaper. Her parents admonished Myrta for seeking a career instead of the traditional cult of domesticity. In 1893 Ms. Avary began publishing columns, short stories, and poetry in major newspapers and magazines such as The Current Literature, The Illustrated American, The Century, The Outlook, The Christian Herald, and Margaret Sangers Harper's Bazzar. She was often underpaid, overworked, and much of her published literature was uncredited.
Ms. Avary completed a course in shorthand and typing at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NYC. During her off days, Myrta boldly became a Progressive reform worker by volunteering at the Bowery Mission, helping to open the White Door Gospel Settlement House, and teaching a Fresh Air on Mont Lawn summer camp for underprivileged children. She also lent her pen to raise money for relief work in India, China, and military veterans.
In 1903 Ms. Avary returned to Atlanta and completed her first book that she had worked on for over ten years. A Virginia Girl In the Civil War, was well received and a first in many ways. Very little noteworthy literature from the perspective of southern women had ever gained national attention. In 1905 Myrta assisted in the editing of the first edition of A Diary From Dixie: Mary Boykin Chestnut. IN 1906 Myrta published a poem in Outlook magazine entitled “The Mother Heart”. This poem was given high marks and was a tribute to her deceased infant son James Avary. In 1906, Ms. Avary published “Dixie After the War”. This was a national best seller and reprinted in 1937. It is remarkable for a southern woman at the turn of the century to gain praise and acceptance from northern and southern readers. She always intended the book to be bridge between the north and south to bring Americans back together again. In 1910 Ms. Avary edited The Autobiography of Alexander Stephens. This book chronicles the life of the Confederate Vice President and focuses on his imprisonment after the Civil War.
Ms. Avary was close friends with the parents of Margaret Mitchell. As a young write Ms. Mitchell was influenced by the work of Myrta Lockett Avary and wrote this inscription into a copy of “Gone With The Wind”:
For: Myrta Lockett Avary, who broke the trail for writers like me. For without you and your books, this book would have never been written.
With much love,
Margaret Mitchell
In the 1930s, Ms. Avary moved to a retirement home in Atlanta and began the task of organizing her papers, correspondence, and unpublished works. The have found their way into the Kennan Library Atlanta, Georgia, the Virginia Historical Society Richmond, Virginia, the Swem Library at William Mary College, and the Rubenstein Library at Duke University. She passed away on February 14th, 1946. Even though most of her life was spent in faraway places such as Atlanta and New York City, her thoughts and writings were always of Virginia and her girlhood home at Lombardy Grove in Mecklenburg County. Her published works speak for themselves. Ms. Mitchell is right. Without the trail blazing of Myrta Lockett Avary it made have been difficult for figures in southern women’s literature to rise and tell their stories to the world. Myrta had to overcome her parent’s wishes, personal tragedy, and publishing world that was not ready for the contributions of women. But with courage and faith she persisted and opened the doors of possibility for so many. Nearly seventy years have passed now since Ms. Avary died and I think she was terrified that her work and writings would be lost forever. As we approach the 155th anniversary of Reconstruction now is the time to remember the life and work of a true trailblazer in Virginia’s long storied history.
Myrta Lockett Avary was born on December 7, 1857 in Halifax County. Her parents were Harwood Alexander Lockett and Augusta Harper Lockett. In 1860 the Lockett family moved to Mecklenburg County, Virginia to operate the Lombardy Grove Tavern and plantation. Here Ms. Avary received a rudimentary education at Miss Betty Carter’s School in Boydton, VA and tutored by her brother Philip Lockett, a Randolph Macon College graduate. The seeds of a literary career were planted at Lombardy Grove. Ms. Avary was cultivated in the life and times of the Civil War, Reconstruction, and plantation life. Both of her older brothers were Civil War veterans who surrendered with Lee at Appomattox Courthouse. In 1884, Ms. Avary married Dr. James Corbin Avary of Atlanta, Georgia. Here she became an assistant to a young and aspired professional, wife, and mother. But tragedy destroyed those happy days. Her only infant son passed away and her husband became estranged.
Myrta boldly packed her belongings and struck out for New York City. In her teenage years she had successfully been published in the Tobacco Plant newspaper in Mecklenburg County and in the Petersburg Index newspaper. Her parents admonished Myrta for seeking a career instead of the traditional cult of domesticity. In 1893 Ms. Avary began publishing columns, short stories, and poetry in major newspapers and magazines such as The Current Literature, The Illustrated American, The Century, The Outlook, The Christian Herald, and Margaret Sangers Harper's Bazzar. She was often underpaid, overworked, and much of her published literature was uncredited.
Ms. Avary completed a course in shorthand and typing at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NYC. During her off days, Myrta boldly became a Progressive reform worker by volunteering at the Bowery Mission, helping to open the White Door Gospel Settlement House, and teaching a Fresh Air on Mont Lawn summer camp for underprivileged children. She also lent her pen to raise money for relief work in India, China, and military veterans.
In 1903 Ms. Avary returned to Atlanta and completed her first book that she had worked on for over ten years. A Virginia Girl In the Civil War, was well received and a first in many ways. Very little noteworthy literature from the perspective of southern women had ever gained national attention. In 1905 Myrta assisted in the editing of the first edition of A Diary From Dixie: Mary Boykin Chestnut. IN 1906 Myrta published a poem in Outlook magazine entitled “The Mother Heart”. This poem was given high marks and was a tribute to her deceased infant son James Avary. In 1906, Ms. Avary published “Dixie After the War”. This was a national best seller and reprinted in 1937. It is remarkable for a southern woman at the turn of the century to gain praise and acceptance from northern and southern readers. She always intended the book to be bridge between the north and south to bring Americans back together again. In 1910 Ms. Avary edited The Autobiography of Alexander Stephens. This book chronicles the life of the Confederate Vice President and focuses on his imprisonment after the Civil War.
Ms. Avary was close friends with the parents of Margaret Mitchell. As a young write Ms. Mitchell was influenced by the work of Myrta Lockett Avary and wrote this inscription into a copy of “Gone With The Wind”:
For: Myrta Lockett Avary, who broke the trail for writers like me. For without you and your books, this book would have never been written.
With much love,
Margaret Mitchell
In the 1930s, Ms. Avary moved to a retirement home in Atlanta and began the task of organizing her papers, correspondence, and unpublished works. The have found their way into the Kennan Library Atlanta, Georgia, the Virginia Historical Society Richmond, Virginia, the Swem Library at William Mary College, and the Rubenstein Library at Duke University. She passed away on February 14th, 1946. Even though most of her life was spent in faraway places such as Atlanta and New York City, her thoughts and writings were always of Virginia and her girlhood home at Lombardy Grove in Mecklenburg County. Her published works speak for themselves. Ms. Mitchell is right. Without the trail blazing of Myrta Lockett Avary it made have been difficult for figures in southern women’s literature to rise and tell their stories to the world. Myrta had to overcome her parent’s wishes, personal tragedy, and publishing world that was not ready for the contributions of women. But with courage and faith she persisted and opened the doors of possibility for so many. Nearly seventy years have passed now since Ms. Avary died and I think she was terrified that her work and writings would be lost forever. As we approach the 155th anniversary of Reconstruction now is the time to remember the life and work of a true trailblazer in Virginia’s long storied history.
Myrta boldly packed her belongings and struck out for New York City. In her teenage years she had successfully been published in the Tobacco Plant newspaper in Mecklenburg County and in the Petersburg Index newspaper. Her parents admonished Myrta for seeking a career instead of the traditional cult of domesticity. In 1893 Ms. Avary began publishing columns, short stories, and poetry in major newspapers and magazines such as The Current Literature, The Illustrated American, The Century, The Outlook, The Christian Herald, and Margaret Sangers Harper's Bazzar. She was often underpaid, overworked, and much of her published literature was uncredited.
Ms. Avary completed a course in shorthand and typing at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NYC. During her off days, Myrta boldly became a Progressive reform worker by volunteering at the Bowery Mission, helping to open the White Door Gospel Settlement House, and teaching a Fresh Air on Mont Lawn summer camp for underprivileged children. She also lent her pen to raise money for relief work in India, China, and military veterans.
In 1903 Ms. Avary returned to Atlanta and completed her first book that she had worked on for over ten years. A Virginia Girl In the Civil War, was well received and a first in many ways. Very little noteworthy literature from the perspective of southern women had ever gained national attention. In 1905 Myrta assisted in the editing of the first edition of A Diary From Dixie: Mary Boykin Chestnut. IN 1906 Myrta published a poem in Outlook magazine entitled “The Mother Heart”. This poem was given high marks and was a tribute to her deceased infant son James Avary. In 1906, Ms. Avary published “Dixie After the War”. This was a national best seller and reprinted in 1937. It is remarkable for a southern woman at the turn of the century to gain praise and acceptance from northern and southern readers. She always intended the book to be bridge between the north and south to bring Americans back together again. In 1910 Ms. Avary edited The Autobiography of Alexander Stephens. This book chronicles the life of the Confederate Vice President and focuses on his imprisonment after the Civil War.
Ms. Avary was close friends with the parents of Margaret Mitchell. As a young write Ms. Mitchell was influenced by the work of Myrta Lockett Avary and wrote this inscription into a copy of “Gone With The Wind”:
For: Myrta Lockett Avary, who broke the trail for writers like me. For without you and your books, this book would have never been written.
With much love,
Margaret Mitchell
In the 1930s, Ms. Avary moved to a retirement home in Atlanta and began the task of organizing her papers, correspondence, and unpublished works. The have found their way into the Kennan Library Atlanta, Georgia, the Virginia Historical Society Richmond, Virginia, the Swem Library at William Mary College, and the Rubenstein Library at Duke University. She passed away on February 14th, 1946. Even though most of her life was spent in faraway places such as Atlanta and New York City, her thoughts and writings were always of Virginia and her girlhood home at Lombardy Grove in Mecklenburg County. Her published works speak for themselves. Ms. Mitchell is right. Without the trail blazing of Myrta Lockett Avary it made have been difficult for figures in southern women’s literature to rise and tell their stories to the world. Myrta had to overcome her parent’s wishes, personal tragedy, and publishing world that was not ready for the contributions of women. But with courage and faith she persisted and opened the doors of possibility for so many. Nearly seventy years have passed now since Ms. Avary died and I think she was terrified that her work and writings would be lost forever. As we approach the 155th anniversary of Reconstruction now is the time to remember the life and work of a true trailblazer in Virginia’s long storied history.
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