Josephine Daskam Bacon

Josephine Dodge Daskam, Mrs. Selden Bacon was a versatile American writer notable for female protagonists, women's issues, juvenile mysteries, poetry, and a few nonfiction works. Her pen names include "Ingraham Lovell", "Josephine Dodge Daskam", and "Josephine Daskam".

Early life and education

Josephine Dodge Daskam was born on February 17, 1876, in Stamford, Connecticut, to Anne and Horace Sawyer Daskam. She graduated from Smith College in 1898.

Career

In 1900, Bacon published a collection of ten short stories inspired by her Smith experience, intending "to deepen...the rapidly growing conviction that the college girl is very much like any other girl."
In addition to fiction for young people. others of her works dealt with more serious themes, particularly women's issues and women's roles in complex, contemporary society. She was a pioneer in the Girl Scouts movement and compiled the guidebook used by that organization.
Her books of poetry were well received by critics; as noted by one critic, some of her poetry was set to music. For example, she is credited for the lyrics used in Hymn for Nations set to the Ode to Joy melodic theme of the Finale of the fourth movement of Beethoven's Ninth, as recorded by Paul Robeson, Pete Seeger, and others.

Personal life

In 1903, Josephine Daskam wed Selden Bacon, a lawyer. The couple had three children: Anne, Deborah, and Selden Jr.
Josephine Daskam Bacon died in 1961, aged 85. She was interred in All Souls Onteora Park Church Cemetery, Hunter, Greene County, New York.