author
Mary Rawlings
1873–1960
A devoted local historian and civic leader, this Virginia writer brought Charlottesville and Albemarle County’s past to life in books that still guide readers through the region’s people, places, and memory.
1 Audiobook
About the author
Born in 1873, Mary Rawlings became known as an authority on the history of Albemarle County, Virginia. She wrote The Albemarle of Other Days, Ante-bellum Albemarle, and Historical Guide to Old Charlottesville, works that helped preserve the stories of Charlottesville and its surrounding communities for later generations.
She was more than an author. Rawlings was also a civic leader and a founding member of the Albemarle County Historical Society, and in 1950 she was named its honorary lifetime president. Her writing reflects a close knowledge of local landmarks, families, and traditions, making her books especially valuable to readers interested in Virginia history.
Rawlings died in 1960, but her work remains part of the historical record of central Virginia. For listeners drawn to regional history, her books offer a direct and personal window into the past.