Dame Shirley and the Gold Rush

By Alex Haley, John Holder, James J. Rawls

Subjects: Gold discoveries, Juvenile literature, Biography, Frontier and pioneer life, Pioneers, Women pioneers

Description: Dame Shirley and the Gold Rush relates how a series of letters, written by a woman known as Dame Shirley and published in a San Francisco magazine in 1854 and 1855, were instrumental in inciting the California gold rush. Dame Shirley was the pen name Louise Amelia Knapp Smith Clappe used to write about her experiences during the Gold Rush. She and her husband traveled out to California seeking the adventure and prosperity that the rugged country "with gold laying all about" had to offer. After the difficult journey there, she saw that life in a mining camp was often dangerous and disappointing. She wrote about her experiences in letters to her sister, now known as the Gold Rush letters. When printed, her letters brought readers the truth about life in a mining camp, and they were widely circulated, and she became something of a celebrity! Written for young readers, this biographical story of Dame Shirley’s experiences is based on her letters, giving readers a firsthand account. James J. Rawls is a published author of several children’s books. Some of his published credits include Dame Shirley and the Gold Rush (Stories of America), Land of Liberty: A United States History and Never Turn Back: Father Serra’s Mission (Stories of America). John Holder is a published author and an illustrator of several children’s books. Some of his published credits include Dame Shirley and the Gold Rush (Stories of America), Funny Bones and Other Body Parts: How It Works (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers) and A Christmas Carol (Ladybird Classics). Alex Haley, as General Editor, wrote the introduction.