Speak to Thy Child, O God

Author: Nancy Byrd Turner

Turner, Nancy Byrd. Born in Boydton, Virginia, July 29, 1880, daughter of Byrd Thornton Turner and Nancy Addison (Harrison) Turner. Composed her first verse at three. First published verse at age of 8--a romantic ballad, "Ruth in the Dentist's Chair" (he fell in love). Her father was an Episcopal minister; they lived in about a dozen small towns or rural communities during her childhood. In 1916, she went to Boston and joined the staff of Youth's Companion. She wrote under many pen names, and published in several magazines. She won numerous awards, including the "Golden Rose" of the New England Poetry Society and the Lyric Associates award of 1951. --Letter from Turner Rose to Jean Woodward Steele, Westminster Press, 1 February 1974, DNA… Go to person page >