Neltje Blanchan Doubleday

Blanchan De Graff Doubleday (October 23, 1865 – February 21, 1918) was a United States scientific historian and nature writer who published several books on wildflowers and birds under the pen name Neltje Blanchan. Her work is known for its synthesis of scientific interest with poetic phrasing.

Biography

Early life and education Neltje Blanchan De Graff was born in Chicago to Liverius De Graff, a proprietor of a men's clothing store, and his wife Alice Fair. She was educated at St. John's Preparatory School in New York City and The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, New York.

Neltje married Frank Nelson Doubleday in Plainfield, New Jersey, on June 9, 1886. They had two sons and one daughter: Felix Doty (adopted), Nelson (1889–1949) and Dorothy. They had homes in both New York City and Oyster Bay.

Writing career Neltje Doubleday published eleven books under her pen name of Neltje Blanchan. Her works on wildflowers and birds were notable for their combination of scientific facts with poetic expression.

Community service Neltje Doubleday entertained regularly and participated in philanthropic work for the American Red Cross.

Published works

The Piegan Indians (1892) Bird Neighbors (1897) Nature's Garden (1900), republished as Wild Flowers: An Aid to Knowledge of our Wild Flowers and their Insect Visitors (1901) "What the Basket Means to the Indian", a chapter in Mary White's How To Make Baskets (1901) How to Attract the Birds (1902) Birds that Hunt and Are Hunted (1905) Birds Every Child Should Know (1907) The American Flower Garden (1909) Birds Worth Knowing (1917) Canadian Birds Worth Knowing (1917) Wild Flowers Worth Knowing (adapted from Nature's Garden by Asa Don Dickinson, 1917, 1922) Birds: Selected from the Writings of Neltje Blanchan (posthumously, 1930)