Mary Mapes Dodge, (born Jan. 26, 1831, New York, N.Y., U.S.—died Aug. 21, 1905, Onteora Park, N.Y.), American author of children’s books and first editor of St. Nicholas magazine.
As the daughter of an inventor and scientist, Mapes grew up in an environment where such prominent men as William Cullen Bryant and Horace Greeley were entertained. At 20 she married William Dodge, a lawyer, and they had two sons. To maintain her independence after she was suddenly widowed seven years later, she started writing children’s stories. Her first collection, Irvington Stories (1864), centred on the American colonial family. Its success prompted her publisher to request another. The following year Dodge’s beloved classic, Hans Brinker: or, The Silver Skates, appeared. The tale of an impoverished Dutch boy whose determination enabled him to obtain help for his sick father went through more than 100 editions during the author’s lifetime.