The Fern Bulletin/v10/Frances Theodora Parsons

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FRANCES THEODORA PARSONS.
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Without doubt the writer who has done the most to popularize the study of ferns in America, bears the name of Frances Theodora Parsons. To her belongs the unique distinction of publishing the first book on ferns for the general reader — a book that one does not need a botanical education to understand. Although first issued less than four years ago, "How to Know the Ferns" has already gone through two or more editions, and will always remain one of our most valued contributions to the literature of ferns.

Mrs. Parsons began life in New York, December 5, 1861, as Frances Theodora Smith. She first married Commander William Starr Dana, of the United States navy (who died abroad), and as Mrs. William Starr Dana wrote "How to Know the Wild-flowers" (1893), "According to Season" (1894), and "Pants and Their Children" (1896). All of these have been most successful, especially "How to Know the Wild-flowers," which according to report has sold nearly seventy thousand copies — a most phenomenal circulation for an "out-of-door" book. An enlarged and illustrated edition of "According to Season" is now in press.

On February 8, 1896, she married Prof, James Russell Parsons, Jr., Secretary of the University of the State of New York, and also an author of note on pedagogical topics. At present they reside at Albany, N. Y.

Mrs. Parsons' work is characterized by an easy and graceful style, coupled with a thorough understanding of her subject. Her books are conspicuously free from the slips so common to many writers who attempt volumes for the general public. To Mrs. Parsons and to Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons we are indebted for the use of the photograph which we have pleasure in producing elsewhere in this number. — W. N. C.