Fanny Murdaugh Downing

Fanny Murdaugh Downing ( Frances Murdaugh; pen names, Viola and Frank Dashmore; October 19, 1831 - May 6, 1894) was a 19th-century American author and poet. She was the first resident novelist of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

Career She was married, in 1851, to Charles W. Downing Jr., Esq., of Florida, and at that time its Secretary of State. They had four children, including a daughter, Margaret. During the Civil War, she lived in Virginia, and then became a refugee in Charlotte, North Carolina, remaining until 1869.

She wrote hundreds of poem at this time, using the pseudonyms of "Frank Dashmore" and "Viola". My September 1866, there was already a Fourth Edition.

Her writing improved, developed, and matured in her next novels, Perfect through Suffering and Florida.

Then came a series of poems of a sterner sort, which were deemed by some to be rebellious. Of this style are "Confederate Gray", "Holly and Cypress", "Prometheus Vinctus", "Memorial Flowers", "Our President", "Two Years Ago", "Sic Semper Tyrannis", and "Dixie". She also wrote some love poems.

She was president of the Ladies' Memorial Association of Charlotte after the war until her removal from Charlotte in 1869.

Personal life Downing was active in the social life of Charlotte. She died there on May 7, 1894. She was survived by a son, two daughters, a brother, Captain William Murdaugh, and a sister, Mrs. Washington Reed. A son, Charles, preceded her in death.

Selected works Plays Nobody Hurt, a play

Novels Nameless, a novel, 1865 Perfect though Suffering, a tale, 1867 Florida, a Tale of the Land of Flowers

Poetry Pluto, or the Origin of Mint Julep, a story in verse "The Legend of Catawba" "Dixie"