Synopses & Reviews
No One Gardens Alone tells for the first time the story of Elizabeth Lawrence (1904-1985). Like classic biographies of Emily Dickinson and Edna St. Vincent Millay, this fascinating book reveals Lawrence in all her complexity and establishes her, at last, as one of the premier gardeners and gardening writers of the twentieth century.
"In this first biography of the renowned gardening writer Elizabeth Lawrence, Emily Herring Wilson reminds us that even quiet lives hold unsuspected passions. Written with graceful clarity, sensitivity, and empathy, this life is a perennial."--Linda H. Davis, author of Onward and Upward: A Biography of Katharine S. White
Elizabeth Lawrence (1904-1985) lived a singular, often contradictory life. She was a traditional southerner; a successful, independent garden writer with her own newspaper column and numerous books to her credit; a dutiful daughter who cared for her elders and lived with her mother; a landscape architect; a passionate poet; a friend of literary figures like Eudora Welty and Joseph Mitchell; and a very private woman whose recently discovered letters illuminate aspects of her mystery. Lawrence earned many fans during her lifetime and gained even more after her death with the reissue of many of her classic books. When Emily Herring Wilson edited a collection of letters between Lawrence and famed New Yorker editor Katharine S. White in Two Gardeners, she found legions of readers who were eager to know more about the legendary Lawrence.
Now, one hundred years after her birth, No One Gardens Alone tells for the first time the story of this fascinating woman. Like classic biographies of literary figures such as Emily Dickinson and Edna St. Vincent Millay, this book reveals Lawrence in all her complexity and establishes her, at last, as one of the premier gardeners and garden writers of the twentieth century.
Synopsis
This is the biography of Elizabeth Lawrence that we have all been waiting for. Even though Lawrences writings are legendary among Southern gardeners, her personal life has always been somewhat elusive. Wilson deftly weaves together Lawrences passionsher gardens, family circle, cherished friendships, and even her religious beliefsin a compelling narrative.” Judith B. Tankard, Landscape Institute, Harvard University
Reading for a winters night for those, like Lawrence, who ponder why we garden.” Diane Heilenman, Gannett News Service
Lawrences life is celebrated with joy, reverence, and clarity in this captivating biography of the quintessential horticulturalist whose columns and books about her private Southern garden inspired gardeners throughout the country. Wilson vibrantly traces Lawrences developments from a shy, devoted daughter to a pioneering landscape architect and prolific garden writer.” Carol Haggas, Booklist
A perceptive biography of one of the countrys great gardeners and gardening writers. Sensitive and luminously written.” Kirkus Reviews
How can anyone resist reading this life, well-illustrated by photographs, of this small, beautiful woman?” Janet Lembke, Raleigh News & Observer
Synopsis
& quot; This is the biography of Elizabeth Lawrence that we have all been waiting for. Even though Lawrence& #39; s writings are legendary among Southern gardeners, her personal life has always been somewhat elusive. Wilson deftly weaves together Lawrence& #39; s passions& mdash; her gardens, family circle, cherished friendships, and even her religious beliefs& mdash; in a compelling narrative.& quot; < br=""> & mdash; Judith B. Tankard, Landscape Institute, Harvard University< br=""> < br=""> & quot; Reading for a winter& #39; s night for those, like Lawrence, who ponder why we garden.& quot; < br=""> & mdash; Diane Heilenman, Gannett News Service< br=""> < br=""> & quot; Lawrence& #39; s life is celebrated with joy, reverence, and clarity in this captivating biography of the quintessential horticulturalist whose columns and books about her private Southern garden inspired gardeners throughout the country. Wilson vibrantly traces Lawrence& #39; s developments from a shy, devoted daughter to a pioneering landscape architect and prolific garden writer.& quot; < br=""> & mdash; Carol Haggas, Booklist < br=""> < br=""> & quot; A perceptive biography of one of the country& #39; s great gardeners and gardening writers. Sensitive and luminously written.& quot; < br=""> & mdash; Kirkus Reviews< br=""> < br=""> & quot; How can anyone resist reading this life, well-illustrated by photographs, of this small, beautiful woman?& quot; < br=""> & mdash; Janet Lembke, Raleigh News & amp; Observer
About the Author
Emily Herring Wilson is a writer, lecturer, and novice gardener living in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She is author of Hope and Dignity: Older Black Women of the South and coauthor of North Carolina Women: Making History. She has taught at Wake Forest University, Salem College, and Cornell University and is a MacDowell Fellow.