Elizabeth E. Lea (1793 - 1858)

Elizabeth Ellicott Lea was born in Ellicott City, Maryland, the daughter of two of Maryland's leading Quaker families. Unlike other cookbook writers of her day, Lea had no desire to preach scientific cookery, to make her Quaker heritage the focus of her writing, or to compete with literary writers who waxed philosophic in their domestic advice books. Her simple recipes and instructions emphasized economy and self-sufficiency, yet the tone is one of quiet helpfulness, not haughty judgment.