Mary Bushnell Williams (, Bushnell; 1826 – July 3, 1891) was a Louisiana Creole American author, poet, and translator. She resided in Louisiana her entire life except for a brief period when she removed to Texas during the civil war. A pupil of Alexander Dimitry, her translations from different languages were admired, and her poems were held in high esteem. Besides poetry, she wrote sketches in prose. Early life and education Mary (sometimes, "Marie") Bushnell was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1826. Her father, Judge Charles Bushnell, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, came to Louisiana within the first decade after the Louisiana Purchase had been accomplished. In due time, he married into a Creole family, one of the most prominent families of Baton Rouge, that settled in Louisiana under the Spanish regime. Judge Bushnell was a member of the bar of Louisiana. He also found time to cultivate the his knowledge of literature. Early in her life, Williams manifested a studious disposition. Her parents being wealthy and ambitious, bestowed the greatest care upon her education; and for many years she enjoyed the instruction of the linguist and teacher, Professor Alexander Dimitry. She was that professor's favourite pupil, and under his instruction, became familiar with the modern languages usually taught, and developed a decided taste for literature. He also imparted to her a deep and profound reverence for learning akin to that which he felt himself. This relation of teacher and scholar continued for several years. Career Though Williams was occupied with the responsibilities of a wife and mother, this did not lessen her interest in literary pursuits. For her own amusement and that of a choice coterie of literary friends —her constant visitors— she became accustomed to weave together legends of Louisiana, both in prose and verse, which soon established her reputation among those who were admitted into the literary circle. She did not, however, fancy the plaudits of the world. For years, she refused to appear in print, but when at length, a few of her articles found their way into literary journals, she was acknowledged as a poet and a teacher. With a vast fund of acquired knowledge and a mastery of language when force of style was necessary, she found it easy to participate in the lighter phases of literary effort. Williams contributed to periodical literature, including, for years, to the New Orleans Sunday Times. Her