Julia Evelyn Ditto Young

Julia Evelyn Ditto Young (December 4, 1857 – April 19, 1915) was an American poet and novelist.

Julia Evelyn Ditto Young
a "Woman of the Century"
BornJulia Evelyn Ditto
December 4, 1857
Buffalo, New York
DiedApril 19, 1915(1915-04-19) (aged 57)
Resting placeForest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York
Occupationpoet, novelist
LanguageEnglish
NationalityAmerican
Alma materState Normal School, Buffalo
Spouse
Robert D. Young
​
(m. 1876)​
Signature

Young's first literary effort dates back to her childhood days, and her first appearance in print was in local newspapers. The first money earned by her writing was in the amount of US$10 from Peterson's Magazine. She continued to write for Peterson's, and for several years wrote for Frank Leslie's publications. She was the author of a number of short stories, which were remarkable for the versatility of literary talent they displayed. Young also won flattering recognition with her poetry. In 1890, she published "Adrift, a Story of Niagara". A collection of verse, much of which had previously appeared in different journals of the country, she published, entitled "Thistle Down", which was favorably received by press and public. [1]

Early years and education

Julia Evelyn Ditto was born in Buffalo, New York, December 4, 1857.[1] Her father, the late John A. Ditto, was a civil engineer, who twice served as city engineer of Buffalo. Her mother, Mrs. Margaret McKenna Ditto, became a successful painter in oils.[2] Young was the niece of Margaret Emma Ditto, of Wellesley, Massachusetts, writer of humorous and original boys' stories.[3]

She was educated in the grammar and in the State Normal School of Buffalo (now Buffalo State College).[4][1]

Young's first literary efforts date back to her early childhood. Once, when she was about six years old, she complained to her mother with bitter weeping that her sister had purloined her chief treasure. "'Tis only a button tied to a string!" said the younger girl with scorn. "I don't care, it's my leading character, and my story can't go on without it!" was the reply.[5] As soon as she had learned to write, she utilized her accomplishment to commit to paper a gloomy poem, "The Earl's Bride",[4] as well as various verses and tales.[3]

Career

After completing a thorough educational course, she married Robert D. Young, December 30, 1876. Mr. Young was a cashier of the Erie County Savings Bank. Two sons were born to them. The elder, Sydney, was born October 22, 1877, and died March 28, 1882; the younger was named Lawrence.[3]

Her first appearance in print was in the Buffalo Evening Post, of September 13, 1871, the opening words of the story, "Shriek upon shriek rent the air, mingled with yells," being startling enough to attract the attention of editor and reader. Shortly afterwards, the Buffalo Express printed an article from her pen on Fort Erie, its jaunty inaccuracies calling forth from several villagers indignant responses. A little later, the first money she earned by writing came to her for US$10 from Peterson's Magazine. She continued to write for Peterson's, and for several years wrote a great deal for Frank Leslie's publications. She has written many short stories, remarkable for the versatility of literary talent they displayed, touching as they did the sublime and the ridiculous with equal felicity, and evoking harmonies in many keys, from the gravest to the gay.[3][4]

Julia Ditto Young

Young also won laurels with her poetry and made some capital translations of French and German poems into English verse.[3][4] In November, 1889, she published a novel, "Adrift: A Story of Niagara," a finished work, the plot of which was laid in the neighborhood of Niagara Falls. The book was successful.[4]

Personal life

Young made her home on Bouck Avenue, Buffalo.[4] She died April 19, 1915, and was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery.[6]

Selected works
  • Adrift : a story of Niagara, 1889
  • Lines, between 1895 and 1915
  • Thistle Down: Poems, 1893
  • The story of Saville : told in numbers, 1897
  • Black Evan. A tale of the "Forty-five". In verse. [With a portrait.], 1901
  • Index and concordance to that cyclopedia of comment, the philistine magazine, Elbert Hubbard, editor : volumes I to XX, 1906?
  • Barham Beach: A Poem of Regeneration, 1908
  • Sonnet to Theodore Roosevelt on his departure for Africa, March, 1909., 1909

References
  1. Moulton 1895, p. 459.
  2. Willard & Livermore 1893, p. 808.
  3. Moulton 1892, p. 290.
  4. Willard & Livermore 1893, p. 809.
  5. Moulton 1892, p. 293.
  6. "Julia Ditto Young". buffaloah.com. Retrieved 4 January 2018.

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