author

Hannah Mary (Bouvier) Peterson

A 19th-century American writer who made science and astronomy feel approachable, while also publishing practical cookbooks that reached a wide audience. Her best-known astronomy text was used by schools, families, and private students on both sides of the Atlantic.

1 Audiobook

The National Cook Book, 9th ed.

The National Cook Book, 9th ed.

by Hannah Mary (Bouvier) Peterson

About the author

Born in Philadelphia in 1811, she was the daughter of lawyer and legal writer John Bouvier. She was educated in private schools and wrote across an unusually wide range of subjects, including science, astronomy, and cookery.

Much of her work appeared anonymously or under her maiden name, Hannah Bouvier. Her best-known book, Bouvier's Familiar Astronomy, was praised and reprinted in the United States and England, and another popular work, Familiar Science, was adopted in schools. She also wrote practical household books such as The National Cook Book and The Young Wife's Cook Book.

She died on September 4, 1870. No clearly suitable verified portrait image was found from the sources checked, so a profile image is not included here.