author
Mrs. (Mary Hooker) Cornelius
1796–1880
Best known for a widely used 19th-century housekeeping guide, this New England writer turned everyday domestic work into practical, readable advice. Her book blends recipes, household management, and home remedies in a way that still offers a vivid picture of domestic life in her era.
1 Audiobook
The Young Housekeeper's Friend Revised and Enlarged
by Mrs. (Mary Hooker) Cornelius
About the author
Mary Hooker Cornelius (1796–1880) was an American author remembered for The Young Housekeeper’s Friend, a popular domestic guide that went through multiple editions in the 1800s. She is closely associated with New England, and local historical sources describe her as a prolific writer whose best-known work helped shape ideas about orderly, efficient household management.
Her book was more than a cookbook. It brought together recipes, cleaning advice, remedies, and practical guidance for running a home, reflecting the expectations placed on women in the 19th century while also showing her skill at making complicated daily work feel teachable and organized. The book’s long publishing life suggests it found a steady readership among young homemakers.
Some biographical details about her life can be confirmed from historical and library sources, including her birth in 1796 and death in 1880. More specific personal details appear in genealogy-style records, but because those are less authoritative than library and historical collections, they are best treated cautiously. A reliable portrait was not clearly available from the sources reviewed, so no profile image is included.