author
Sophie Jewett
1861–1909
A poet, translator, and beloved Wellesley teacher, she wrote lyrical, thoughtful work shaped by loss, travel, and a deep love of language. Her poems often feel quiet at first, then linger with unusual emotional force.
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About the author
Born in Moravia, New York, in 1861, Sophie Jewett lost both of her parents while she was still a child and was raised by relatives in Buffalo. She later studied at Wellesley College and went on to join the faculty there, becoming known not only as a poet but also as a gifted teacher.
Jewett published poetry under her own name and also used the pseudonym Ellen Burroughs. Along with her original verse, she worked as a translator, helping bring European writing into English with care and musicality. Her writing is often described as lyrical and reflective, with an eye for beauty, sorrow, and spiritual feeling.
She died in 1909 at the age of 48. Though she is not as widely read today as some of her contemporaries, her work still stands out for its grace, emotional restraint, and finely shaped language.