author
Mrs. John King Van Rensselaer
1848–1925
A lively chronicler of old New York, she turned family history, social customs, and even playing cards into richly detailed books. Her work helped preserve the texture of colonial and early American life for later readers.
2 Audiobooks
The Devil's picture-books
by Mrs. John King Van Rensselaer
Prophetical, Educational and Playing Cards
by Mrs. John King Van Rensselaer
About the author
Born Maria Denning King in New York City in 1848, she became widely known by her married name, Mrs. John King Van Rensselaer. She wrote history and historical fiction, and she was especially drawn to the people, manners, and material culture of early New York.
Her books include The Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta at Home and in Society, 1609–1760, The Devil's Picture-Books: A History of Playing Cards, and The Van Rensselaers of the Manor of Rensselaerswyck. Across these works, she had a talent for making archival subjects feel vivid and human rather than dusty or remote.
She was also active in New York historical life and is remembered as a member of the New-York Historical Society and as one of the people involved in founding the Museum of the City of New York. She died in 1925, leaving behind books that still appeal to readers interested in genealogy, old New York, and the social history hidden in everyday objects.