Katherine Prescott Wormeley

American nurse and translator

Katherine Prescott Wormeley

Katherine Prescott Wormeley (January 14, 1830 – August 4, 1908) was an American nurse, author, and translator, best known for her translations of the works of Honoré de Balzac.

Early life

Katherine Prescott Wormeley was born in Ipswich, England, to a prominent American family. Her father, Ralph Randolph Wormeley, was a naval officer, and her mother, Caroline Preble, was the daughter of Commodore Edward Preble. The family moved to the United States when Katherine was a child, settling in Newport, Rhode Island.

Career

Nursing during the Civil War

During the American Civil War, Wormeley served as a nurse and was appointed as the head of the United States Sanitary Commission's hospital transport service. She was responsible for organizing the care and transportation of wounded soldiers, a role that required both administrative skill and compassion.

Translation work

After the war, Wormeley turned her attention to literature, becoming a prolific translator. She is best known for her translations of the works of Honoré de Balzac, which were published in a series of volumes that made Balzac's work accessible to English-speaking audiences. Her translations were praised for their accuracy and literary quality.

Wormeley also translated works by other French authors, including Molière and Alexandre Dumas. Her translations were instrumental in introducing French literature to the American public.

Later life and legacy

In her later years, Wormeley continued to write and translate, contributing to various literary journals and publications. She was a member of several literary societies and was recognized for her contributions to literature and translation.

Katherine Prescott Wormeley passed away on August 4, 1908, in Boston, Massachusetts. Her work as a translator remains highly regarded, and she is remembered as a pioneer in the field of literary translation.

Related pages

• Honoré de Balzac
• United States Sanitary Commission
• American Civil War