Emily S. Oakey

Emily S. Oakey (sometimes incorrectly spelled, "Oakley"; October 8, 1829 – May 11, 1883) was an American educator, author, and poet from New York. She published Dialogues and Conversations and At the Foot of Parnassus (1883), the latter of which included many poems that had first appeared in prominent periodicals such as The Century Magazine and The Springfield Republican. Writing the lyrics to the hymn “What Shall the Harvest Be?” in 1850, Oakey contributed poems to both literary and religious publications during her career. She spent nearly three decades teaching languages and literature at the Albany Female Academy.

Early life and education

Emily Sullivan Oakey was born October 8, 1829, in Albany, New York. She graduated from the Albany Female Academy in 1850.

In 1850, she wrote the lyrics to "What Shall the Harvest Be?",

Death Emily Oakey died in Albany, on May 11, 1883.

Selected works Dialogues and Conversations, designed for the use of schools (New York City/Chicago/New Orleans: A. S. Barnes, 1879) At the Foot of Parnassus (Albany, New York: D. R. Niver Publishing Company, 1883)