Sarah Tyson Rorer

Sarah Tyson Rorer

Sarah Tyson Rorer (1849–1937) was an American pioneer in the field of domestic science. She was one of the first dietitians in the United States and an early advocate of healthy eating. Rorer was also a prolific author, writing numerous cookbooks and articles on food and nutrition.

Early Life

Sarah Tyson Rorer was born on October 18, 1849, in Richboro, Pennsylvania. She was the eldest of four children. Her parents, Charles Tyson and Elizabeth Walmsley Tyson, were Quakers. Rorer's early education was at the Friends' Central School in Philadelphia.

Career

In 1882, Rorer enrolled in the Philadelphia Cooking School, where she studied the science of cooking. After graduating, she became the school's principal. Rorer's approach to cooking was scientific and practical. She emphasized the importance of nutrition and the role of food in health.

Rorer wrote many cookbooks, including Mrs. Rorer's New Cook Book, Mrs. Rorer's Vegetable Cookery and Meat Substitutes, and Diet for the Sick. These books were influential in promoting healthy eating and the science of nutrition.

In 1886, Rorer founded the Philadelphia School of Cookery, where she taught cooking and domestic science. She also lectured widely and wrote articles for various publications, including Ladies' Home Journal, where she served as the food editor.

Rorer was a founding member of the American Dietetic Association and served as its first vice president. She was also a member of the American Public Health Association and the American Home Economics Association.

Later Life and Legacy

Rorer retired in 1926 and moved to Palo Alto, California, where she lived until her death on December 27, 1937. Her work in the field of domestic science and nutrition had a significant impact on American cooking and health. Today, she is remembered as a pioneer in the field of dietetics and a champion of healthy eating.

See Also

• American Dietetic Association
• Philadelphia Cooking School
• Ladies' Home Journal

References

• Sarah Tyson Rorer: The Nation's Instructress in Dietetics and Cookery (1937) by Annie R. Gregory
• The Queen of Cuisine: Sarah Tyson Rorer's Reign and the Rise of Domestic Science (2009) by Audrey R. Vasey

External Links

• Sarah Tyson Rorer at Encyclopedia Britannica
• The History of Cooking Schools at PBS Food