Maria Elise Turner Lauder[needs IPA] (pen nameToofie Lauder, also known as Maria Elise Turner de Touffe Lauder; 20 February 1833 – 1 June 1922) was a Canadian teacher, linguist, and author who travelled extensively in Europe. She published novels and poetry, but mostly was known for writing about her travels. Lauder was also a philanthropist, involved in the temperance movement.[1]
She was the author of My First Visit to England, 1865; In Europe, 1877; Evergreen Leaves: Being Notes from My Travel Book. Belford, 1877; Evergreen Leaves: Or, "Toofie" in Europe, 1884; Legends and Tales of the Harz Mountains, North Germany, 1885; and At Last, 1894. She also wrote song lyrics including, "Britain, We Stand by You", 1899; "The Last Night and its Vision", 1901; "Birdie's Reply : To a Wee Bird Trying to Fly", 1907; and "Alone - The Queen's Lament", 1908.
Lauder's father died in 1836. Two years later, her mother married Rodolphus Fuller Grote (1809–1888). There were five half-siblings from this marriage: George Whitfield Grote (1843–1920), lawyer and poet who authored "Ode on the coronation of King Edward VII" (1901);[6] Phoebe Agnes Robina (Grote) Copeland (1849–1932), poet; Gorham Whitcombe Grote,[7] a doctor; John Wesley Grote (1845-1898), an insurance agent;[8] and Lorenzo Perry Grote (1852–1869).
Lauder was a fair linguist, as she added a knowledge of Latin and Greek in addition to several modern languages, the latter of which she spoke fluently.[9] After completing her education, she worked as a linguist,[10] and taught at Whitby Ladies' College, in Whitby, Ontario.[4]
The Lauders had one child, the pianist, William Waugh Lauder, for whom she was the sole teacher until he was eleven years old in 1869.[9] She became obliged to assume the entire direction of her child's musical education. For this, she travelled extensively,[1] residing in Great Britain, Germany, France and Italy, and visiting many parts of Europe, accompanied by her husband and son. During her residence abroad, she formed the friendship of several musical celebrities and authors, and, armed with an introductory letter from the widely-known author and musical critic, Oscar Paul, of the Royal Conservatorium der Musik in Leipzig, she took William to Sachse-Weimar, where he studied with Franz Liszt. According to Pauline Pocknell, William was the only Canadian pupil of Liszt.[13] At the invitation of Liszt, Lauder took William to perform in Rome. There, she was presented at the royal court to Umberto I and Queen Margherita, and was honoured with private audiences with the queen, and invitations, both in the Quirinal Palace and the Palace of Capodimonte in Naples. Lauder was also presented, with her son, at the papal court to Pope Leo XIII.[9] Extensive travel was the inspiration for Lauder to publish various books, including My First Visit to England (1865) and In Europe (Toronto, 1877).
Enthused after spending time in the Harz in summer, she collected material on local folk tales with the help of German novelist Gustav Freytag and wrote Legends and Tales of the Harz Mountains in Germany, published by Hodder & Stoughton.[14] The 1881 work was dedicated to Queen Margherita, who presented Lauder with her royal autographedportrait.[7] Of this book, The Westminster Review stated:[15][9]
Lovers of old German stories will thank 'Toofie Lauder' heartily for having collected together so charming a volume of Legends and Tales of the Hartz Mountains. Whether the name 'Toofie Lauder' signifies a lady or a gentleman we have no means of guessing, but we should fancy that the graceful style of the book comes from a woman’s pen.
"Toofie" was Lauder's pen name;[2] she published many literary articles and poems using it,[9] as well as a number of volumes of poetry.[7] "Toofie" was also a fictional character in at least one of Lauder's works.[16]
She wrote a tribute poem upon the death of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, as well as poems honoring Queen Victoria, King Edward, and King George.[7] She also wrote lyrics for several songs, including "Britain, We Stand by You",[17] "The Last Night and its Vision,[18] "Birdie's Reply : To a Wee Bird Trying to Fly", music by Arthur Uvedale, [19] and "Alone - The Queen's Lament".[20]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: U.S. Government Printing Office (1907). Catalog of Copyright Entries (Public domain ed.). Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: The Westminster Review (1881). "Contemporary Literature". The Westminster Review. Vol. 116 (Public domain ed.). Baldwin, Cradock, and Joy.
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