Ada Josephine Todd

Ada Josephine Todd (also known as Adah J. Todd; June 16, 1858 – October 27, 1904) was an American author and educator born in Connecticut. She pursued an extensive education despite limited financial means, graduating from Claverack College before earning degrees from Syracuse University and Boston University. She held teaching positions in classical languages and the sciences at institutions in Ohio and Connecticut, including Xenia Female College and Bridgeport High School, where she introduced the laboratory method into public school science instruction. Todd combined her academic career with a strong interest in literature, publishing articles, translations, and a book titled The Vacation Club, which explored topics in natural history, geology, and astronomy. She was active in literary and educational organizations, including the Association of American Authors, the Browning Society of Philadelphia, and the Collegiate Alumnae Association, where she served in leadership roles.

Early life and education Ada (or, "Adah") Josephine Todd was born in Redding, Connecticut, June 16, 1858. Her parents were Seth Todd and Deborah (Burr) Todd. She descended on her father's side from Christopher Todd, one of the pioneer settlers of New Haven Colony. On her mother's side, from Jehue Burre of Fairfield, Connecticut she inherited character from a double line of Puritan ancestry. Ada's siblings were Henry Burton Todd (b. 1846); Charless Burr (b. 1849); Jennie S. Todd and Hattie E., twins (b. 1860).

She always had a strong inclination for literary work, and her first published articles appeared when she was sixteen. She wrote for various papers and magazines, made translations, assisted in the revision of James H. Shepard's Elements of Chemistry, and furnished weekly papers on natural history for The Living Church of Chicago, in 1891. In the summer of 1892, her first book was published under the title, The Vacation Club.

She was a member of several literary, philanthropic and social clubs, including the Association of American Authors and the Browning Society of Philadelphia. She served as vice-president of the Collegiate Alumnae Association, and was the Director of the Connecticut state branch.

Personal life Todd made home in Redding. She died at Puerto Rico, October 27, 1904.

Selected works The Vacation Club, 1892