Louise Amelia Knapp Smith Clappe

Who was Louise Amelia Knapp Smith Clappe?

Louise Amelia Knapp Smith Clappe wrote under the pen name of 'Dame Shirley'.

Louise Clappe was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey. As a child, Clappe attended the primary public education that was mandatory of all Massachusetts schools. Her family valued education because they believed it was the moral and intellectual center for a persons' wellbeing. Accordingly, she attended the female seminary in Keene, New Hampshire in 1835. In 1837, Clappe's mother died after a long battle with tuberculosis and she had to return home to care for her siblings. After a year the children moved in with a long-time family friend Osmyn Baker. Clappe continued her education at the seminary in Norton, Massachusetts, the Charlestown Seminary, and concluded her studies at Amherst Academy.

In 1849, Louise moved to San Francisco with her new husband Fayette Clappe. However, they found the temperate climate of San Francisco less than pleasing so they decided to move to northern California in 1849. They were greatly intrigued by the gold mining obsession that was occurring to the north of them. During their travels, Louise was offered the opportunity to write for The Herold about her travel adventures.