Brainerd, Betty
Dates
- Existence: 1888 - 1984
Biography
Betty Brainerd (Elizabeth Ann Brainerd McClure) was born in 1888. She was a journalist for sixty years, despite being discouraged by her father, Erastus Brainerd, a journalist and editor. However, she persisted and with the help of Talcott Williams, Vilhjalmur Stefansson and other, she was by 1922 writing the syndicated column "We Women." She also wrote occasional feature stories and attempted to establish herself as a radio performer. By the 1940s, "We Women" was finished byt Brainerd continue to write women's column and do publicity work until 1982.
Brainerd had many suitors including Vilhjalmur Stefansson who courted her ardently for months. However, Brainerd married George T. Stagg and became involved in Stagg's kidnapping of his son from his first marriage. The marriage was declared invalid in 1925, and Brainerd married H.H. McClure, nephew of S.S. McClure and head of the newspaper syndicate for which she worked.
Brainerd died in 1984.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Betty Brainerd papers
Betty Brainerd (1888-1984), society columnist and reporter. The collection contains correspondence, photographs, manuscripts and copies of her columns. Correspondents include Vilhjalmur Stefansson, Henry Herbert McClure and George T. Stagg. Some material related to her parents is also included.