Mary Anne Sadlier : Short Biography

Mary Anne Sadlier was born Mary Anne Madden in Cootehill, in the civil parish of Drumgoon, County Cavan, on the 31st of December 1820. When she was 24 years old, her father died. Mary Anne left Ireland that same year and emigrated to Canada. She settled first in Quebec where she married a publisher named James Sadlier, who was also and Irish immigrant. 

During the early years of her marriage, Mary Anne developed a name for herself as a prolific writer. She wrote extensively on the subjects of anti-Catholicism, emigration, and the Great Hunger. Her works varied from short stories, to religious catechisms, to novels. Her family published a Catholic magazing called 'The Tablet'. It was in this that she would publish much of her work. 

In the 1860's the Sadliers left Canada for New York, where they would continue their publishing business. Mary Anne soon became a noted name amongst Irish literary greats. She hosted weekly salons at their home in Manhatten and entertained the Archbishop of New York, John Hughes. 

After nine years in New York, Mary Anne returned to Canada. She died on the 5th of April 1903.