Davidson, Margaret Miller (1823–1838)
Davidson, Margaret Miller (1823–1838)
American poet. Born in Plattsburg, New York, on March 26, 1823; died at age 15 of tuberculosis in Saratoga, New York, on November 25, 1838; buried in the village graveyard at Saratoga; daughter of a physician; sister of Lucretia Maria Davidson (1808–1825).
When Margaret Miller Davidson was born, her 15-year-old sister Lucretia Maria Davidson was already a poet of some renown. Seven of the nine siblings of the Davidson family died young, including Lucretia who died at age 17 of tuberculosis. Margaret was only two and a half. Educated by her mother, Margaret too was encouraged to write poetry. but soon the beautiful, delicate child was also wasting away from the dreaded disease. Washington Irving, who met the girl when she was 12, noted: "The soul was wearing out the body. I felt convinced that she was not long for the world; in truth, she already appeared more spiritual than mortal." Edgar Allan Poe described her as a "fairy child." The works of the two sisters were published collectively in 1850, along with a biography of Margaret by Irving. For a time, the entire nation was enthralled with the romantic tragedy of the frail sisters.