Mary Hazelton Blanchard Wade was an American educator and writer who became a prolific author of children's literature during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, in 1860, she was the daughter of Charles Henry and Caroline Cecilia Blanchard. She received her early education at a high school in Malden, Massachusetts, before continuing her studies under the guidance of private tutors.
Wade began her professional career in 1877 as a teacher, a role that likely influenced her later dedication to writing educational and engaging books for young readers. In November 1882, she married Louis Francis Wade. She eventually transitioned from teaching to writing, establishing herself as a successful and highly productive author.
Wade's literary career was defined by her focus on children's fiction and educational stories. She is particularly remembered for her contributions to the Our Little Cousin series, which introduced young readers to the lives and cultures of children from different countries around the world. Through her accessible and informative storytelling, Wade sought to foster global awareness and empathy in her audience until her death in 1936.
