Catharine Webb Barber (née, Barber; after first marriage, Towles or Towle; after second marriage, McCoy; October 25, 1823 - November 15, 1893)[1] was an American teacher, newspaper editor, and author. She was born in Massachusetts, but came South, settling first in Georgia and afterward in Alabama.[2][3] According to The Alabama Review, 1983,— "Establishing a bibliography of the works of Catharine W . Barber Towles McCoy is as difficult as establishing the facts of her life. Only a few of her numerous contributions to ephemeral Georgia periodicals can now definitely be known."[4]
Barber began to write verses for the newspapers at an early age.[7] From 1849 to 1852, in Madison, Georgia, she served as editor of the Madison Visitor. In 1861, she moved to Newnan, Georgia, and became editor of the Southern Literary Companion, which she continued to edit until its suspension in 1865.[8] For several newspapers and magazines, she filled the role of the "Women's Department" editor.[9]
In 1866, she became the editor and proprietor of Miss Barber's Weekly, which she continued till her marriage to John Culbreath Towles (1813-1877), of Lafayette, in 1867.[7]
In 1884, she married Jett T. McCoy (1823-1887). After his death in 1887, she resided at Columbus, Georgia.[7]
She published Stories for the Freemason's Fireside (New York, 1860); The Three Golden Links (Cassville, Georgia, 1857); and Poor Claire, or Life Among the Queer (1888).[7][10] Her noveletteBriarbrook (1866) was published by Scott's Monthly Magazine.[11][12]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: Engstfeld, Mrs. Caroline P. (1923). Bibliography of Alabama Authors (Public domain ed.). Howard college.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: Scott, William J.; Wylly, William Henry (1866). Scott's Monthly Magazine. Vol. 1–2 (Public domain ed.). J.J. Toon.