Mary Augusta Dickerson

Mary Augusta Dickerson also known as Mary Dickerson Donahey (New York City, September 22, 1876 – March 31, 1962) was an American author of children's books and cookbooks.

Dickerson was born in New York City to Alfred James Dickerson and Nancy Augusta (Huggins) Dickerson. She graduated from the St. Mary's school in New York City as valedictorian. The school later merged with St. Garriel's School in Peekskill, New York.

Dickerson began writing children's stories, articles and poem verses for newspapers and magazines in 1896. She was then associated with the New York Journal in 1898 as a reporter for a short time. Donahey later took on a full-time career as a special writer for The Plain Dealer that same year. Her career there extended into 1905.

Dickerson married William Donahey on August 16, 1905, becoming Mary Dickerson Donahey. She was also known as Mrs. William Donahey. They met while they both worked at the Plain Dealer. She introduced him to some traditional children's stories while they were working there, which helped to inspire him to become a comic strip writer and illustrator. He had missed out on these normal childhood stories because he was an introverted child and spent much of his childhood alone.

Dickerson was associated with or a member of the following:

• Illinois Woman's Press Association (president 1925–1927)
• Society of Midland Authors
• Cleveland Writers Club
• Writers Guild
• Episcopalian

Pickle Barrel cabin

• Club Matrix
• lecturer

Mary Dickerson Donahey's 1916 Prince Without a Country book cover

Mary Dickerson Donahey's 1914 The Adventures of a Happy Dolly book cover

Mary Augusta Dickerson, writing under her married name Mary Dickerson Donahey, wrote the following books:

• The Wonderful Wishes of Jacky and Jean (1905)
• The Castle of Grumpy Grouch a Fairy Story (1908)
• Mysterious Mansions (1909)
• Down Spider Web Lane: A Fairy Tale (1909)
• Through the Little Green Door (1910)
• The Adventures of a Happy Doll (1914)
• The Magical House of Zur (1914)
• The Prince Without a Country (1916)
• Lady Teddy Comes to Town (1919)
• The Talking Bird and Wonderful Wishes of Jacky and Jean (1920)
• The Teenie Weenie Man's Mother Goose (1921)
• The Calorie Cook Book Menus for Reducing, for Upbuilding, for Maintenance (1923)
• The Calorie Cook Book (1923)
• Peter and Prue (1924)
• Best Tales for Children (1924)
• Cupboard Love: My Book of Recipes (1929)
• The Tavern of Folly (1930)
• The Cooking Pots of Grand Marais (1930; reprint edition 1976)
• The Spanish McQuades, the Lost Treasure of Zavala (1931)
• Mary Lu (1937)
• Apple Pie Inn (1942)
• The Castle of Grumpy Grouch (1948)
• Mystery in the Pines (1950)

Example of work

The Prince Without a Country, New York: Barse & Hopkins, 1916, page 71

The Adventures of a Happy Dolly, New York: Barse & Hopkins, 1914, page 11