Eva Best

Eva Best (, Williams; pen name, Saturn; 1851–1925) was an American story writer, poet, music composer, dramatist, and painter. She worked as a newspaper editor. She wrote a great deal in dialect. Best was among the first persons to recognize the poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar and was influential in bringing him before the public. In his youth, Dunbar was an elevator attendant in the same building in which Best's father conducted an architect's office, and she became acquainted with the youth and his literary endeavors through seeing him in her father's building.

Career Best started her literary career as a poet. while "The Power of Thought" was included in the Bible Review (1905).

She began writing for the papers in 1871, encouraged by William D. Bickham, of the Dayton Journal (now, Dayton Daily News). In 1872, she began contributing to the Cincinnati Saturday Night, and afterward to The Cincinnati Times-Star, under the nom de plume of "Saturn". She then wrote for Godey's Magazine, for Arthur's Lady's Home Magazine, and for Peterson's Magazine.

Best wrote several dramas. The first, An American Princess, ran at least six seasons. A comedy drama, Sands of Egypt, was in the hands of Miss Elisabeth Marbury, of New York City. A Rhine Crystal was being used by Miss Floy Crowell, a New England artist. Best's other plays, The Little Banshee and Gemini, the former in Irish dialect, the latter a two-part character piece, were written for Miss Jennie Calef. In all these plays the music, dances, ballads, and incidental scores were distinctively original.

Selected works

Dramas An American Princess, 1886 Sands of Egypt A Rhine Crystal The Little Banshee Gemini

Short stories "A Voice of the Silence", 1900 "The Wise Man and the Sea Urchins", 1900

Poems "The Beautiful Thought", 1899 "Love and Hate", 1899 "A Promised Day", 1899 "Thou Art". 1899 "The Power of Thought", 1905 "Alphabetic Hints", 1900 "Do Unto Others", 1900 "Resolves", 1900 "The Awakening", 1900 "The Kingdom of Heaven", 1900 "The Glorious Dawn", 1900 "The Wonderful Power", 1900 "When Father Laughs", 1900