Born: 5 June 1836, United States
Died: 18 September 1914
Country most active: United States
Also known as: Mrs. Frank Leslie
From Woman: Her Position, Influence and Achievement Throughout the Civilized World. Designed and Arranged by William C. King. Published in 1900 by The King-Richardson Co. Copyright 1903 The King-Richardson Co.:
“Truth is stranger than fiction.” Mrs. Leslie’s life contains abundant material for a most fascinating novel. Miriam Florence Folline is a native of New Orleans, La., and is a French Creole by birth. Her girlhood home was one of luxury and her educational advantages and attainments were of the highest order.
Mr. “Frank Leslie,” to whom she was married, was by birth an Englishman and his real name was Henry Carter. He had gained some reputation as an author using the pen name “Frank Leslie.” Coming to this country he took his pen name as his legal name by legislative permission, and became a publisher in New York City.
Miss Folline chanced to be in New York. One of the editors of “Leslie’s Lady’s Magazine” was ill and without money. Miss Folline offered to take the place and give the sick woman the salary, which was done. The invalid died and the benefactress was asked to retain the editorial position. Mr. Leslie came to admire and love this talented woman and they were married.
She was of great assistance to him in his business and they were greatly prospered for some years. But reverses came in the panic of 1877 and Mr. Leslie was obliged to make an assignment. He was about this time afflicted with a tumor, which he would terminate fatally. To his beautiful and brave wife he said, “Go to my office, sit in my place and do my work, until my debts are paid.” When he died, there were debts amounting to $300,000.
By act of legislature she took the name Frank Leslie and carried on the business with pronounced success. That a woman of such business ability, and with heavy responsibilities, should be at the same time a society leader, is a marvel of versatility. She has shone in European society, where she was most cordially received. Her command of the French, Spanish, and Italian languages opened the way, and her personal beauty and culture made her a center of attraction.
From Famous Women: An Outline of Feminine Achievement Through the Ages With Life Stories of Five Hundred Noted Women. Written by Joseph Adelman, published 1926 by Ellis M Lonow Company:
Mrs. Frank Leslie, an American publisher, born in New Orleans. Her maiden name was Miriam Florence Folline and she was a descendant of a noble French-Huguenot family.
When Frank Leslie, the publisher, to whom she had married, died in 1880, leaving his business badly involved, Mrs. Leslie took it in hand and placed it on a paying basis. The circulation of the Popular monthly increased 200,000 in four months under new management. In 1902 she sold out all her publishing interests.
Part of her fortune, estimated at more than $1,000,000, was devoted to the advancement of women suffrage.
The following is excerpted from “400 Outstanding Women of the World and the Costumology of Their Time” by Minna Moscherosch Schmidt, published in 1933.
She was born in New Orleans, a descendant of a noble French Huguenot family. Her maiden name was Miriam Florence Folline.
Her girlhood home was one of luxury and her educational advantages were of the highest order.
While working in New York as a sub-editor of Leslie’s Lady’s Magazine she met Frank Leslie and they were married. She was of great assistance to him in his business. In 1880 Mr. Leslie died, and by an act of legislature she took the name of Frank Leslie and carried on the business. She was not only a successful and capable business woman, but a society leader as well. In European society she was most cordially received due to her command of French, Spanish, and Italian languages and her personal beauty and culture. Much of her time and money went to the fostering of talent in young and poverty stricken artists and poets. Mrs. Ella Wheeler Wilcox was one who benefited by her timely and kindly appreciation. Mrs. Leslie, in 1902, sold out all her publishing interest, part of her fortune being then devoted to the advancement of woman suffrage.