Henrietta Cordelia Ray was born in New York City. She graduated from the University of the City of New York in 1891 with a master's in pedagogy and became a teacher, but stopped in order to write. Her ode "Lincoln" was read at the unveiling of the Emancipation Memorial in Washington, DC, in April 1876.
More By This Poet
Limitations
The subtlest strain a great musician weaves,
Cannot attain in rhythmic harmony
To music in his soul. May it not be
Celestial lyres send hints to him? He grieves
That half the sweetness of the song, he leaves
Unheard in the transition. Thus do we
Yearn...