Laura Fish Judd

'Mrs Gerrit P. Judd and her Daughter Juliet Isabel', oil on canvas painting by James Gay Sawkins, 1850, Mission Houses Museum (Honolulu)

Laura Fish Judd (April 2, 1804October 2, 1872) was an American missionary, teacher and historian noted for her works on the Kingdom of Hawaii.

In 1827, she married Gerrit P. Judd, an American missionary who was appointed advisor and minister of finance to King Kamehameha III.

Biography Laura Fish was born to a family of seven to Elias Fish and Sybil Fish (née Williams) on April 2, 1804, in Plainfield, New York. An account stated that she learned the local language quickly and assisted her husband as he practiced medicine, preached as a missionary, and taught young students.

Judd developed a strong relationship with Queen Kaʻahumanu, the widow of King Kamehameha I, who asked Judd to live with her and teach her how to make western dresses. In 1832, she and other missionary wives created the first school for Native Hawaiian children. Previously, only the adult population had been educated.

Judd started writing about Hawaii and her missionary work. When her husband retired as minister, for instance, she published his accomplishments in Honolulu... from 1828 to 1861 (1880). Judd also recorded an account of Queen Kalama and her marriage to King Kamehameha III in 1837. Her work also included observations on Hawaiian culture such as her descriptions of Hawaiian dining etiquette and cuisine.