author
Martha Ann Brett Samuel
A New Orleans preservationist and historian, she helped capture the story of the Garden District and old Lafayette in a way that still draws local-history readers today. Her work blends neighborhood memory, architecture, and civic pride.
1 Audiobook
The Great Days of the Garden District, and the Old City of Lafayette
by Martha Ann Brett Samuel, Ray Samuel
About the author
Martha Ann Brett Samuel was a New Orleans writer and preservationist best known as the co-author, with Ray Samuel, of The Great Days of the Garden District, and the Old City of Lafayette. The book was published in 1961 and focuses on the history and character of one of New Orleans' most storied neighborhoods.
Available biographical records also describe her as one of New Orleans' best-known real estate agents and a prominent preservationist. She was born in Marks, Mississippi, raised in Jackson, and later moved to New Orleans after graduating from the University of Mississippi.
Although widely remembered in local circles for her civic and preservation work, readily available online sources about her literary life are limited. What stands out clearly is her lasting connection to New Orleans history and her role in preserving the spirit of the Garden District for later readers.