Born: 22 February 1838, United States
Died: 3 June 1912
Country most active: United States
Also known as: Margaret E. Munson
From Famous Women: An Outline of Feminine Achievement Through the Ages With Life Stories of Five Hundred Noted Women. Written by Joseph Adelman, published 1926 by Ellis M Lonow Company:
Margaret Elizabeth Sangster (1838-1912), an American author and editor, born in New Rochelle, N. Y. She became one of the popular American poets in the period following the Civil War, and her poems “Elizabeth Aged Nine,” and “Are the Children at Home?” were known the country over. In 1873-1879 she was editor of The Christian at Work, in 1889-1899 editor of Harper’s Bazaar, and then became a staff contributor to the Ladies Home Journal. Mrs. Sangster’s works are marked by a high religious purpose and an earnest desire to brighten and beautify every-day life. Her numerous books include: “Hours with Girls,” “Little Knights and Ladies,” “Good Manners,” “Radiant Motherhood,” and “My Garden of Hearts.”
From Woman: Her Position, Influence and Achievement Throughout the Civilized World. Designed and Arranged by William C. King. Published in 1900 by The King-Richardson Co. Copyright 1903 The King-Richardson Co.:
Margaret E. Sangster, Author and Editor of Harper’s Bazaar, 1838 – 1912 A.D.
Mrs. Sangster has been connected editorially with five different publications.
Her early educational advantages, so far as school life was concerned, are few. She was chiefly educated at home. No doubt she had inborn talent for literary work, but whatever she possessed she also carefully cultivated. Very early in life she became a contributor to the leading periodicals, and her first work was produced when she was but seventeen.
Her first editorial engagement was with the Hearth and Home, which continued for two years. Then came six years of service with the Christian at Work. The next nine years was spent as assistant editor of the Christian Intelligencer. For the most part of this time she was also editor of Harper’s Young People, which was new in the field of periodical literature.
In 1890 she was called to the editorship of Harper’s Bazaar, with which she is still connected.
Mrs. Sangster has found time for considerable miscellaneous work, and for many years has been ranked as one of our popular American poets.
She has published a Manual of Missions of the Reformed Church in America, Home Fairies and Heart Flowers, and a series of Sunday school books.
Mrs. Sangster is a prominent member of the Dutch Reformed Church and devotes much time to the work of that body. She is especially fond of children. Years ago two of her productions, Elizabeth, Aged Nine, and Are the Children at Home? were household words, and were in many of the school readers. She has written in all some half dozen popular books for children.
She has helped a great host of friends who have never met her but through her writings have learned to love her. And, further, another widely scattered company have given her better views of life, and new courage discharging life’s duties, though they scarcely know the name of Mrs. Sangster.