Creole Families of New Orleans

'Grace Elizabeth King was born in New Orleans...earned a name for herself in the literary world...her most popular book was 'Creole Families of New Orleans,' published in 1921.' -The Times (Shreveport), March 27, 1977'A fascinating story.' -Review of Reviews, 1921 'One of the quaintest and most charming literary figures of the country.' -The Bookman, 1921 'Reveals the quality and temper of these early settlers of Louisiana.' - The Double Dealer, 1921 'The delightful atmosphere of old New Orleans is well reproduced in these accounts of distinguished Creole families.' -Outlook, 1921'Grace Elizabeth Kings, New Orleans author, died...today...made an international reputation with her pen...was made a fellow of the Royal Society of England.' -Montgomery Advertiser, Jan. 13 1932 No American city has a more dramatic history than that of New Orleans. Living successively under French, Spanish and American rule, some of the city's pioneer families have records of unsurpassing interest. In her 1921 book 'Creole Families of New Orleans,' Miss Grace King supplied the long needed definitive guide, in English, to a knowledge of the colonial founders of Louisiana. The purpose of her book is to trace the genealogical records of the earliest families of Louisiana, and in forty chapters, many old family lines of French and Spanish origin are followed in detail. Beside this genealogical matter, the book contains historical and other material showing the social life and customs of the early days in Louisiana Family spirit, family traditions, the clan spirit at its best, are strongly developed in New Orleans. Hence the history of New Orleans is the history of these old families. So, around the Marignys, the Pontalbas, the Almonasters, the Soniat Du Fossats, the Lafrenieres, whose ancestor led the revolt against Spain, around the Celto-French Macartys, the Gayarres, who count among their descendants the great historian of Louisiana, Charles Gayarre, around the Grimas, the Rothgnacs, the Fortiers, revolves the historical cycle, full of romance and poetry, as well as tinged with sorrow, of the Siren City of the South. About the author: Grace Elizabeth King (1851 -1932) was a well-known American author of Louisiana stories, history, and biography, and a leader in historical and literary activities. King was born in New Orleans, the third of what became seven children of lawyer William Woodson King and Sarah Ann (nee Miller) King. The family had an aristocratic background but had been impoverished by the American Civil War. Grace King later studied under Charles Gayarre and eventually found her career in writing.