Hannah Mary Bouvier Peterson

Hannah Mary Bouvier Peterson (1811 – September 4, 1870) was an American writer of books on science, astronomy and cookery. She was educated at private schools in Philadelphia, in painting, music and linguistics. In addition to this preface, the title page identifies her as the author, and gives her credit for other works. Familiar Science reorganized and expanded upon A Guide to the Scientific Knowledge of Things Familiar by Ebenezer Cobham Brewer, adapting it for an American audience. It sold widely and was adopted for use in schools. As of 1866, over 200,000 copies had been sold, and it was being used in public schools in Philadelphia and Brooklyn.

Bouvier's Familiar Astronomy incorporates a question-and-answer format used in Familiar Science and in the works of science educator Jane Marcet. Nearly 500 pages long,

Most of her cookbooks were published as being by "A Lady of Philadelphia", although at least one edition gives her maiden name, and identifies her as the author of both Familiar Science and Bouvier's Astronomy.

The Young Wife's Cook Book includes not only "the best dishes to be prepared for Breakfast, Dinner, and Tea" but everything from tea cakes and jellies to terrapin and lobster. It was described by Godey's Lady's Book as "An excellent book of thoroughly tested receipts, which will prove highly satisfactory to the novice in cooking." The author emphasizes the importance of domestic economy, and includes recipes for "heart, liver, tripe, feet" and the reuse of leftovers, a theme she also addressed in The Family Save-All. She encourages wives to manage their time, to ensure that they have opportunities for the practice of accomplishments and "cultivation of the mind".

Hannah Mary Bouvier Peterson died September 4, 1870, in Long Branch, New Jersey, home of her daughter Emma and son-in-law, George William Childs.

Family Bouvier married Robert Evans Peterson, Robert Peterson studied law with his father-in-law and was admitted to the bar in 1843. He established the Philadelphia publishing house R. E. Peterson & Co. around 1850, which became Childs & Peterson around 1854. He later studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with an M.D. in 1863. The National Cook Book. By A lady of Philadelphia [Hannah Mary Bouvier Peterson], A practical housewife [Martha Read]. Philadelphia, Hayes & Zell, 1856. The National Cook Book. By Hannah M. Bouvier. Author of "Familiar Science", "Bouvier's Astronomy", And A practical housewife. Philadelphia, T. B. Peterson & Brothers, [1870?], c1866. The family save-all. Supplying excellent dishes for breakfast, dinner and tea, from cold fragments... by the Author of "The national cook book". Philadelphia, T. B. Peterson & brothers, c1867. The young wife's cook book : with receipts of the best dishes for breakfast, dinner and tea by the author of "The national cook book". Philadelphia : T.B. Peterson & Brothers, 1870.