Esther Birdsall Darling was an American author, poet, and entrepreneur who became a prominent figure in the early history of Alaskan dog mushing. After studying at Mills College and traveling through Europe during her youth, she married in 1907 and relocated to Nome, Alaska, where her husband operated a hardware and expedition outfitting business.
In Nome, Darling partnered with Scotty Allan to establish a sled dog kennel and organize the region's first long-distance dogsled race. Their kennel gained international recognition during World War I when the French military purchased several of their dogs, including descendants of their famous dog Baldy, to transport cargo and messages on the European front. In 1917, these dogs were decorated with a French military medal, which Darling accepted on their behalf.
Darling's literary career was deeply intertwined with her experiences in Alaska. She is best known for her book Baldy of Nome, which tells the story of a champion sled dog, and she subsequently wrote several follow-up works. In addition to her prose, she penned a well-known poem dedicated to the forget-me-not, Alaska's state flower. Her contributions to mushing history and Alaskan literature continue to be recognized by historians and cultural institutions.
