The Biographical Dictionary of America/Allen, Elizabeth (Akers)

ALLEN, Elizabeth (Akers), author, was born at Strong, Me., Oct. 9, 1832. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Chase. She began to write verses at an early age under the pen name of "Florence Percy." Some of these were, in 1855, published in a volume entitled, "Forest Buds." Some years later she was married to Benjamin Paul Akers, the sculptor, who died in 1861, and she became in 1865 the wife of E. M. Allen of New York. For several years following, her residence was in Richmond, Va. She published a second volume of poems in 1866, which included the poem "Rock Me to Sleep, Mother," afterwards set to music by several composers, and which became very popular, so that its authorship was claimed by several writers of verses. Her claim was, however, firmly established by indisputable evidence. She also published "The Silver Bridge," in 1885; a volume of prose and verse anonymously in 1886; and a fourth volume of verse in 1891; she contributed to the monthly magazines. Having published her second book while she was Elizabeth Akers, she retained that as a pen name. She was literary editor of the Advertiser, Portland, Me., and published "The Proud Lady of Stavoren" (1899).