Sallie Webster Dorsey (April 5, 1860 – August 5, 1937) was an American librarian and clubwoman. She was Maryland State Librarian from 1912 to 1916.

Early life

Sallie Webster Dorsey was born in

Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...

, the daughter of James Levin Dorsey and Sarah Ann Webster Richardson Dorsey. Her father was a grain broker. Her sister

Hester Dorsey Richardson Hester Dorsey Richardson (, Dorsey; pen name, Selene; January 9, 1862 – December 10, 1933) was an American author of several historical studies of Maryland, as well as a genealogist and clubwoman. Among her publications were ''The Origin and Cus ...

was a clubwoman and local historian in Maryland.

Career

Dorsey wrote for newspapers, and was one of the original members of the

Woman's Literary Club of Baltimore The Woman’s Literary Club of Baltimore (1890–1941) grew out of the tradition of women’s clubs that flourished in late nineteenth-century America. A number of literary societies founded throughout the country during this time provided women ...

. She was president of the Cambridge Woman's Club, and hosted literary gatherings in her home in Cambridge. From 1912 to 1916 she was Maryland State Librarian, based in

Annapolis Annapolis ( ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Maryland and the county seat of, and only incorporated city in, Anne Arundel County. Situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east o ...

, and a member of the Maryland Public Library Commission. She was appointed by Governor

Phillips Lee Goldsborough Phillips Lee Goldsborough I (August 6, 1865October 22, 1946), was an American Republican Party (United States), Republican politician and member of the United States Senate representing Maryland, State of Maryland from 1929 to 1935. He was also ...

, who was also her neighbor and a family friend. She attended the annual meeting of the National Association of State Libraries in Washington, D.C. in 1914. Dorsey raised money to provide an organ and community service items for the Old Church, a Protestant Episcopal parish in Dorchester County, Maryland. She supported public playgrounds and gardens. She was also an active member of the Baltimore chapter of the

Daughters of the American Revolution The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a lineage-based membership service organization for women who are directly descended from a person involved in the United States' efforts towards independence. A non-profit group, they promote ...

. During

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

, she chaired the Volunteer Motor Messenger Service of the Women's Section of the Council of Defense in Baltimore.

Personal life and legacy

Dorsey lived with her older sisters Elizabeth and Mary in Dorchester County. She died in 1937, aged 77 years. A duster-style linen coat worn and mended by Dorsey is in the collection of the

Maryland Center for History and Culture The Maryland Center for History and Culture (MCHC), formerly the Maryland Historical Society (MdHS), . founded on March 1, 1844, is the oldest cultural institution in the U.S. state of Maryland. The organization "collects, preserves, and inte ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dorsey, Sallie Webster 1860 births 1937 deaths American librarians Clubwomen People from Baltimore