Sarah Hale wrote this description of herself in her book, "Woman's Record," published 1853 (pp. 686 -687) Poems (pp. 687 - 691):

HALE, SARAH JOSEPHA, As AUTHOR of this work, "Woman's Record," may hope that her name here will not be considered out of place. From a brief account of her writings, which appeared in the Lady's Book, in 1850, she selects the following particulars; premising that her maiden name was Buell, and her birth-place, Newport, a pleasant village nestled among the green hills of New Hampshire. " By the death of her husband, David Hale, a young lawyer of distinguished abilities and great excellence of character, Mrs. Hale was left the sole protector of five children, the eldest then but seven years old ; it was in the hope of gaining the means for their support and education that she engaged in the literary profession. ' Northwood,' a novel in two volumes, was her first published work ; (a little volume of poems had been previously printed for her benefit by the Freemasons, of which fraternity Mr. Hale had been a distinguished member.) 'Northwood' was issued in Boston, December, 1827, under the title of  "The Book of Flowers." Early in the following year, Mrs. Hale was invited from her home in the ' Old Granite State ' to go to Boston and take charge of the editorial department of ' The Ladies' Magazine,' the first periodical exclusively devoted to her sex which appeared in America. She removed to Boston in 1828, and continued to edit the Ladies' Magazine until 1837, when it was united with the Lady's Book in Philadelphia, of the literary department of which work she has ever since had charge.

"Mrs. Hale continued to reside in Boston, after she became editor of the Lady's Book, for several years, while her sons were in Harvard College. In 1841, she removed to Philadelphia, where she now resides. "

Besides ' Northwood,' which was reprinted in London under the title of ' A New England Tile,' and well commended in several English journals, her published works are, ' Sketches of American Character;' 'Traits of American Life;' 'Flora's Interpreter,' (this also has been reprinted in London ;) ' The Ladies' Wreath, a selection from the Female Poets of England and America;' 'The Way to Live Well, and to be Well while we Live ;' ' Grosvenor, a Tragedy ;' ' Alice Ray, a Romance in Rhyme;' 'Harry Guy, the Widow's Son, a Story of the Sea '—(the last two were written for charitable purposes, and the proceeds given away accordingly ;) ' Three Hours, or the Vigil of Lore, and other Poems,' published in 1848; ' A Complete Dictionary of Poetical Quotations, containing Selections from the writings of the Poets of England and America.' This volume contains nearly six hundred double column large octavo pages, and is the most complete work of the kind in the English language. " Mrs. Hale has also edited several annuals— 'The Opal;' 'The Crocus,' &c., and prepared quite a number of books for the young. 'The Judge; A Drama of American Life,' lately published in the ' Lady's Book,' is the latest of her writings. " Moreover, in addition to all these productions of Mrs. Hale's fertile mind, a large number of stories, poems, essays, etc., many without her name, sufficient to fill several large volumes, lie scattered among the periodicals of the day. These she will collect and publish when she concludes her editorial duties. Of these duties it is scarcely worth our while to speak, writing, as we are, for the renders of the Lady's Book, who know so well how thoroughly and usefully they have been performed.

Quite pertinent is the following extract from a newspaper in Massachusetts, which comes timely to our hands while writing. In noticing the Lady's Book, the editor says : ' Mrs. Sarah J. Hale, the lady editor, is one of the most sensible and energetic of all the conductors of the numerous magazines that are now published; and as she was the pioneer in this species of literature, no one has had a greater influence, or become more universally popular among her countrywomen.' " Her success is richly deserved, and her energy, devotion, and perseverance under circumstance the most trying, afford a cheering example to her sex.' "

A few words respecting the influences which have, probably, caused me to become the Chronicler of my own sex, may not be considered egotistical. I was mainly educated by my mother, and strictly taught to make the Bible the guide of my life. The books to which I had access were few, very few, in comparison with the number given children now-a-days ; but they were such as required to be studied — and I did study them Next to the Bible and The Pilgrim's Progress, my earliest reading was Milton, Addison. Pope, Johnson, Cooper, Burns, and a portion of Shakespeare. I did not obtain all his works till I was nearly fifteen.

The first regular novel I read was "The Mysteries of Udolpho," when I was quite a child. I name it on account of the influence it exercised over my mind. I had remarked that of all the books I saw, few were written by Americans, and none by women. Here was a work, the most fascinating I had ever read, always excepting " The Pilgrim's Progress," written by a woman ! How happy it made me ! The wish to promote the reputation of my own sex, and do something for my own country, were among the earliest mental emotions I can recollect. These feelings have had a salutary influence by directing my thoughts to a definite object; my literary pursuits have had an aim beyond self-seeking of any kind. The mental influence of woman over her own sex, which was so important in my case, has been strongly operative in inclining me to undertake this my latest work, " Woman's Record," and I have sought to make it an assistant in home education; hoping the examples shown and characters portrayed, might have an inspiration and a power in advancing the moral progress of society.

Yet I cannot close without adverting to the ready and kind aid I have always met with from those men with whom I have been most nearly connected.

To my brother I owe what knowledge I possess of the Latin, and the higher branches of mathematics, and of mental philosophy.  He often lamented that I could not, like himself, have the privilege of a college education.

To my husband I was yet more deeply indebted. He was a number of years my senior, and far more my superior in learning. We commenced, soon after our marriage, a system of study and reading which we pursued while he lived. The hours allowed were
from eight o'clock in the evening till ten ; two hours in the twenty-four: how I enjoyed those hours ! In all our mental pursuits, it seemed the aim of my husband to enlighten my reason, strengthen my judgment, and give me confidence in my own powers of mind, which he estimated much higher than I. But this approbation which he bestowed on my talents has been of great encouragement to me in attempting the duties that have since become my portion. And if there is any just praise due to the works I have prepared, the sweetest thought is — that his name bears the celebrity.