[2] She descended on her father's side from Christopher Todd, one of the pioneer settlers of New Haven Colony.

On her mother's side, from Jehue Burre of Fairfield, Connecticut she inherited character from a double line of Puritan ancestry.

[2] By teaching in summer and writing throughout the year, she succeeded in paying her expense in college and received from Syracuse University the degree of A.B., in 1880.

By her efforts and in opposition to the wishes of her friends, she continued her studies in Greek and philosophy and won the degree of A.M., in Syracuse University, in 1883.

[3][1] In 1880–81, she served as Lady Principal and professor of Greek and Latin in Xenia Female College, Ohio.

[5] She was a member of several literary, philanthropic and social clubs,[3] including the Association of American Authors and the Browning Society of Philadelphia.