Rachel H. Shoemaker

Rachel Walter Hinkle Shoemaker (, Hinkle; October 1, 1838 - February 1, 1915) was a dramatic elocutionist and Shakespearean reciter.

Early life Rachel (nickname, "Rachie") Walter Hinkle was born near Doylestown, Pennsylvania, on October 1, 1838. One of her ancestors on her father's side, William Hinkle, came to the U.S. with William Penn, with whom he was closely associated in the affairs of the colony of Pennsylvania. On her mother's side, Elizabeth Walter, her ancestors were Hollanders. Rachel Hinkle descended from Edward Marshall of Tinicum Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, one of the participants in the Walking Purchase of 1737. Her parents were farmers. Rachel lived on the homestead farm until she was twenty years old. She was the youngest of five children.

Dora became President of the National School of Elocution and Oratory, but she closed the school at the beginning of World War II. After that she became a playwright and poet. She continued to teach adult night classes at St. Johns Roman Catholic Church.

Rachel Walter Hinkle Shoemaker died in Philadelphia on February 1, 1915, and is buried at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd.