Edna Dean Proctor

Edna Dean Proctor, a notable poet and writer, was born in Henniker, New Hampshire, in 1829. Raised in a literary household, she demonstrated an early talent for writing. After her father’s death in 1837, her family moved to Andover, New Hampshire, where she continued her education. Proctor's early works were published in local newspapers, and her literary career flourished as she moved through New England, teaching and writing. She became friends with many prominent literary figures, including John Greenleaf Whittier and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

In 1885, Edna moved to Framingham, to live with her mother and sister after spending many years in Brooklyn, New York. In Framingham, she became an active member of the local literary community and contributed to Boston’s literary circles. She lived on Union Avenue and Proctor Street, and in 1900, she wrote the poem Framingham for the town’s bicentennial celebration.

Throughout her career, Edna published several poetry collections, including Poems (1866), The Mountain Maid (1900), and Songs of America (1905). Her works often reflected her deep involvement in social issues, such as abolition and the Union cause during the Civil War, as well as her experiences traveling abroad.

Edna Dean Proctor passed away in Framingham in December 1923, at the age of 94, and was buried in Edgell Grove Cemetery. Her contributions to both poetry and Framingham’s cultural history remain celebrated.