Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 3.djvu/393

 PROMINENT PERSONS

345

ies of monographs on "Vicarious Atone- ment," "Historical Facts and Theological Fictions," "By Divine Right," "Pulpit, Pew and Cradle," and "Rome or Reason." Her first book, "Men. Women and Gods," was published in 1885. From 1885 ^ 1890 many cf her stories, essays and sketches appeared in the principal magazines. Her first volume of stories, "A Thoughtless Yes," was pub- lished in 1890, and was followed by "Pushed by Unseen Hands;" most of these writings were based upon some suggestion or theory of the law of heredity. Her first novel, "Is This Your Son, my Lord," (1891), was fol- lowed the next year by "Pray You, Sir, Whose Daughter?" Both dealing with the double standard of morals. In 1893 she brought out "Facts and Fictions of Life," a series of brilliant essays, including one on "Sex in Brain," which attracted wide at- tention. "An Unofficial Patriot" (1898), is an historical and sociological study of the Civil war, giving many facts which could only be derived from the secret war records in Washington City, and the story was dramatized under the title, "Rev. Griffith Davenport." Many of Miss Gardener's writings have been translated and published in Berlin and Vienna, some have been translated into French, Russian and Japanese, and one into Icelandic ; while her scientific essays and stories based on heredity have been reproduced in medical journals in Europe as well as in the LJnited States. She has also been a strong figure on the lecture platform, attacking social abuses with a vehemence strangely im- pounded of argument and sarcasm. She has visited twenty different countries in making historical, sociological and art stud-

ies. She married Col. A. C. Smart, of New York.

ritt, Robert Healy, born in Middlesex county, Virginia, June 26, 1853, son of Dr. Douglass Pitt, eminent physician of Middle- sex; his wife, of French descent, traced to the Worthams and Montagues. The son entered Richmond College, graduated in several courses, but ill health prevented his taking the full degree. He was ordaintd a minister of the Baptist church, and entered upon pastoral work in Hanover county in ■877. About 1888 he purchased a half in- terest in the "Religious Herald," the official organ of the Baptist church of Virginia. He is at the head of the Baptist Education Com- mission. Mercer University, of Georgia, conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity, and in 1905 Richmond College conferred that of LL. D. He lectures and Oelivers many addresses.

Myers, Barton, born in Norfolk, Vir- ginia, March 29, 1853, son of Moses Myers, cf Norfolk, and Julia G. Barton, his wife, daughter of Richard Barton, of Winchester. After receiving his education in Norfolk and Fauquier county, he engaged in mercantile business in Norfolk. In 1877 he was ap- jiointed by the British government as vice- consul at Norfolk, and the same year re- ceived similar appointments under the Netherlands and Brazilian governments. He was a member of the city council of Nor- folk for four years, and was elected mayor in 1886. He is interested in various local corporations. He has in possession the pis- tols which were used in the Decatur-Barron duel. He married Kate Mackay, daughter of Dr. Robert F. Baldwin, of Winchester, Virginia.