Rowena Granice Steele | |
|---|---|
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| Born | Rowena Graniss June 20, 1824 Goshen, New York, U.S. |
| Died | February 7, 1901 (aged 76) Willows, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Merced Cemetery, Merced, California, U.S. |
| Occupation |
|
| Language | English |
| Nationality | American |
| Genre | low comedy[1] |
| Notable works | The Victims of Fate |
| Spouse |
Thomas Claughley
(m. 1846; died 1860)Robert J. Steele
(m. 1861; died 1889) |
| Children | Henry Hale Granice, George Law Granice, Lee Richmond Steele |
Rowena Granice Steele (née Graniss; after first marriage, Claughley; after second marriage, Steele; June 20, 1824 – February 7, 1901) was an American performer (actress, singer, elocutionist), author of poetry and novels, as well as a newspaper journalist, editor, and publisher. The first novel written by a woman in California was Steele's, The Victims of Fate, a work of fiction loosely based on David C. Broderick, the preface stating: "Some of the incidents of this little story, (although mingled with fiction,) are real facts. I had the honor of being acquainted with the hero, from my earliest childhood. First as a lad of little promise, although to use a quaint expression, King-Bee among his boy companions. After, as a young, terprising aspirant for political fame. Last, as the finished gentleman and a nation's pride."[2] Steele was well known for the entertainments which she provided during the early days of the California Gold Rush, where, with her son, George, she acted out scenes from Shakespeare and bits of comedy.[3] Steele died in 1901.
- ^ "A New Actress". Newspapers.com. The Pacific Commercial Advertiser. 6 January 1859. p. 2. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
- ^ ""The Victims of Fate"". Newspapers.com. The Sacramento Bee. 27 June 1860. p. 2. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
- ^ Mighels 1893, p. 355.
