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. Her book is the story of the romantic city on the Mississippi whose founders were characterized by heroism and the lighter social qualities that have made New Orleans a charming personality among cities.

King knew the luxury of life in the south before the Civil War, then, during the fighting, lived on a sugar plantation in lower Louisiana. Her first efforts to write came as a result of talks with visitors from the north, who, she felt, misunderstood the spirit of her people. Apparently her father's house was one of the most hospitable and picturesque homes in old New Orleans. Charles Dudley Warner was entertained there, Hamilton Mabie, Eugene Field, Hopkinson Smith, Richard Watson Gilder, Joaquin Miller, and the like.

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 Lafréniéres, whose ancestor led the revolt against Spain, around the Celto-French Macartys, the Gayarrés, who count among their descendants the great historian of Louisiana, Charles Gayarré, 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.

These Creole families contributed to the history of the U.S. elements of which all can be proud. With all their easy-going semi-tropical indolence, they are a fiery hot-blooded race, and whether under Spanish, French or American rule never shirked danger and never showed fear.

With conscientiousness and accuracy Miss King tells her story, spinning out the history with the light touch of the novelist. She reaches the personalities of her subjects with an imagination ever on the alert for the graceful and pleasing things of life, for which New Orleans furnished fertile soil.

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 (née Miller) King. The family had an aristocratic background but had been impoverished by the

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