Anna Cora Mowatt (1819-1870) was born in France. Her family later moved to New York where, as a young girl of fifteen, she eloped with James Mowatt. After her husband suffered financial difficulties, she pursued a successful career as an actress, novelist, and playwright. She was well known for her mellifluous voice, delicate features and long auburn hair, a lock of which was placed in the daguerreotype case , along with a sprig of rosemary.