Emily Huntington Miller was born in Brooklyn, Connecticut, on October 22, 1833. She was a writer from a young age, and she graduated from Oberlin College.
In 1860, Emily married John E. Miller, whose career achievements included being a principal, a professor, and the publisher of
Little Corporal, which later merged with
St. Nicholas. Emily, John, and their children lived in Granville, Illinois, Plainfield, Illinois, Evanston, Illinois, and St. Paul, Minnesota. Emily wrote for and edited
Little Corporal, and she contributed to newspapers and periodicals such as
Harper's Magazine,
The Independent, and
Our Young Folks. A prolific author, Emily penned several books, including
The Royal Road to Fortune (1869),
Hang Up the Baby's Stocking (1870),
The Parish of Fair Haven (1876),
What Tommy Did (1876),
The Bears' Den (1877),
Captain Fritz: His Friends and Adventures (1877),
Summer Days at Kirkwood (1877),
A Year at Riverside Farm (1877), and
Little Neighbors (1879). Also a lyricist, she wrote the words for
Only Four! Song and Chorus (1868), by George F. Root. In addition to her literary career, she was involved with missionary and Sunday school work for the Methodist Episcopal Church. From its start in 1874, Emily was active in the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle. She also was an early temperance advocate.
After John's death in 1882, Emily continued her literary activity. She wrote for various periodicals, including
Atlantic Monthly and
Ladies' Home Journal,and published books of prose, poetry, and lyrics, including
Home Talks about the Word: For Mothers and Children (1894),
Songs from the Nest (1894),
From Avalon, and Other Poems (1896), and
An Offering of Thanks (1899).
Emily became president of the Woman's College of Northwestern University in 1891, and served as president of the Chautauqua Woman's Club for several years.
She passed away on November 2, 1913.