Mary Ann Maitland

Mary Ann Maitland (, Davidson; 26 January 1839 — 24 February 1919) was a Scottish-born Canadian author of poems, hymns, and short stories. She emigrated to Canada at the age of 18, where her work as a poet gained recognition. Maitland was a prolific contributor to numerous periodicals and a number of her hymns were set to music. Her short story "Charity Ann," published in 1892, provided the background for the character Anne Shirley's history in the novel Anne of Green Gables.

Early life Mary Ann Davidson was born in Elgin, Moray, Scotland, 26 January 1839. and they moved to Stratford, Ontario. After the death of a son, Maitland became depressed, which not only affected her health but her writing as well, with many of her subsequent poems being tinged with sadness.

Maitland's poems were collected and prepared for publication. A number of hymns written by Maitland were set to music.

Personal life Maitland and her husband had six children including, William James, Minnie Margaret, Marianne, Isabella "Belle" McDonald, Eleanor Lillian "Nellie", and George Herrie. She lived in Elgin, Scotland (1839-1857); Hamilton, Ontario (1861-1864); St. Catharines, Ontario (c1865-c1874); Buffalo, New York and New York City; Stratford, Ontario (1877, 1881, 1891, 1911); and St. Marys, Ontario (-1919). at the age of 80.

Selected works Autumn Leaves, 1907 God Speed the True: a Little Volume of Cheerful Canadian Verse, 1919

Hymns "Keep a light in the window burning" "Today the saints in Zion are watching"