Phebe Westcott Humphreys was an American journalist, horticulturist, photographer, and author whose work spanned landscape design, travel, and social documentation in the early twentieth century. Over her career, she contributed approximately 400 feature articles and regular columns to prominent periodicals of her day, including House and Garden and Harper's Bazar. Her writing covered a diverse array of subjects, ranging from environmental sustainability and architectural preservation to newly patented household appliances and the operations of immigrant-run farms and factories.
Humphreys is particularly remembered for her influential contributions to garden literature and landscape design. Her 1914 publication, The Practical Book of Garden Architecture, was highly regarded by contemporary experts, earning praise from botanist Charles Howard Shinn for her extensive knowledge, as well as recognition from tastemaker Ruby Ross Wood. Beyond horticulture, Humphreys was an early motoring enthusiast. In 1905, she published The Automobile Tourist, a pioneering guidebook for car travelers that was lauded by The Philadelphia Inquirer for its thorough and practical information.
In addition to her non-fiction and guidebooks, Humphreys wrote children's books and used her photography to document her subjects. Her forward-thinking focus on sustainability, philanthropy, and preservation has earned her modern recognition; in 2020, the Cultural Landscape Foundation officially designated her as a pioneer in her field.
