Eliza A. Dupuy

Eliza Ann Dupuy ( – December 29, 1880) was a littérateur and pioneer author of the Southern United States. She is remembered as the first woman of Mississippi to earn her living as a writer.

Dupuy wrote approximately 25 Gothic thrillers during the period of 1845 through 1880, as well as domestic novels, and short stories, making her perhaps one of the most widely-known authors of her day. At an early age, she became a governess in Natchez, Mississippi and while so employed wrote her first book, The Conspirators, in which Aaron Burr is the principal character. Her other works included The Huguenot Exiles, Emma Wattou, or Trials and Triumphs, Celeste, Florence, or the Fatal Vow, Separation, Concealed Treasure, Ashleigh, and The Country Neighborhood. She wrote in all about forty stories, most of them for the New York Ledger. In later life, she experienced a weakness of the eyes.

Early life and education Eliza Ann Dupuy was born in Petersburg, Virginia, 1814. Her father was Jess Dupuy, who owned a ship and was engaged in the shipping industry. Her mother was Mary Anne Thompson Sturdevant. and was buried at the Fleming County Cemetery in Flemingsburg.

Publications Novels published in the New York Ledger

The Lost Deeds Mysterious Marriage White Terror Outlaw’s Bride Life Curse Warning Voice Secret Chamber Family Secret Lady of Ashhurst Fatal Error Evil Genius The Dead Heart

Novels published in book form

Merton; a Tale of the Revolution The Conspirator Emma Walton, or Trials and Triumphs The Country Neighborhood Celeste, or The Pirate’s Daughter The Separation The Divorce The Coquette’s Punishment Florence, or The Fatal Vow The Concealed Treasure Ashleigh The Planter’s Daughter The Huguenot Exiles