Deborah L. Halliday

Deborah L. Halliday, M.A., Ed.D., is a personal historian, writer, and college teacher. She is fascinated by the intersection of the personal and the historical, by the way the contexts of our lives influence who we become. Writing is another form of teaching, Halliday believes, and through her writing she attempts to contribute to our understanding of each other, ourselves, and the world around us. Deborah received her doctorate in Human Development from Boston University, her Masters in American Studies from the University of Massachusetts, and her Bachelors in Sociology from Lake Erie College.

American Studies, Sociology, and Human Development come together in "Dinnertimes: Stories of American Life." This book of social history presents first person accounts from forty four people ranging in age from 22 to 108. As narrators reflect on their lives and times, we hear intimate, unique, yet universal accounts that can teach us something about others, our history, and ourselves.

Deborah recently completed a series of poetry anthologies based on the highly popular nineteenth century magazine, Godey's Lady's Books. These 18 thematic anthologies, on subjects as diverse as Love, the Rain, and the Civil War, recapture many poems that have been lost to us for a hundred and fifty years or more. Through these anthologies the poetry of another time is preserved and brought forward, allowing us to share in universal emotional experiences and at the same time learn something about the particular cultural viewpoints of these nineteenth century Americans.

Current projects include research into the lives and work of two poets represented in the poetry collections as well as a book on the history of dinner. Future projects will include work on transition theory and life transitions.

Deb is originally from Newton, Massachusetts and currently makes her home in historic and beautiful Pawtuxet Village in Warwick, Rhode Island, where she can be found walking just about any day of the year. More information about her work in personal history can be found at www.debthestorian.com.