Jeanie Oliver Davidson Smith

Jeanie Oliver Davidson Smith (, Davidson; pen name, Temple Oliver; 1836 – November 16, 1925) was an American poet and romancist. She contributed to leading British and U.S. magazines and published several books, continuing her writings almost to the time of her death.

Early life and education Jeanie Oliver Davidson was born in Troy, New York, 1836. Her parents were Richard and Margaret Oliver (Amos) Davidson. Her father was Scottish by birth and was well known in Troy as a philanthropist; he later became a resident of New York City. Her mother was a member of the Oliver family, conspicuous in southern Scotland. From both parents, she inherited poetic and artistic tendencies. When her mother died, the young girl went with an aunt to Scotland, and for five years, she lived in Edinburgh, where she was educated thoroughly and liberally. After graduation, she returned to the United States.

Career

At an early age, she married Hon. Horace E. Smith (d. 1902), dean of the Albany Law School.

Selected works Day Lilies, 1889 Christmas Day, 189? The Mayor of Kanemeta, 1891 Donald Moncrieff, 1892 Stories of Fido and Hunter, 1896 The Story of Blackie, 1896 The Christ: A Poetical Study of His Life from Advent to ..., 1899 (with Obadiah Cyrus Auringer) Sonnets of Life, 1911 A Forest Idyl, 1913 The Seal of Hellas: (a Classical Drama) The Story of Zephyr: A Christmas Story, 1917