Phoebe Cary

Phoebe Cary was an American poet, known for her moralistic and idealistic writings. She, along with her sister Alice, grew up on a farm with limited schooling but developed a strong literary taste. Their poems gained recognition from notable figures like Edgar Allan Poe and Horace Greeley, leading to the publication of their joint work, Poems of Alice and Phoebe Carey.1

While Alice was more prolific during her lifetime, Phoebe later received greater critical acclaim for her wit and emotional depth. One of Phoebe's religious verses, "Nearer Home," became a popular hymn. Both sisters were active in the women's rights movement, with Phoebe briefly serving as an assistant editor for The Revolution.1

It is important to distinguish this poet from Phoebe in Greek mythology, a Titaness and grandmother of Apollo and Artemis.2