Mabel Augusta Ruggles Cobb Papers

Mabel Augusta Ruggles (Cobb) was born in Westford, Vermont, attended the Westford schools and graduated in 1903 from Kimball Union Academy, Meridan, New Hampshire, then a coeducational school of excellent reputation. In 1909, after several years of teaching in village and rural schools, she married Irving Cobb of Westford and lived in Bennington, Vermont, for thirty-two years.

During this time she became interested in writing. She attended the Writer's Conference at the Breadloaf School of English. Primarily interested in children's literature, she was published in "Youths Companion" and "St. Nicholas" magazines. Articles on child-parent problems were published by the Pilgrim Press. Her work also appeared in "Survey Graphic," "Poetry," "Parents' Magazine" and numerous small magazines. She was one of the founders of the Vermont Poetry Society. In 1938, she won the award for the best story for children in the statewide contest and in 1941, she received first prize in the Vermont Writers' Ballad Contest. Her poetry and prose are mostly genre evocations of Vermont country life.

Mrs.Cobbs at various times lived in New Zealand, Belgium and Jamaica after her husband's death. On her return to Vermont, she served three terms, 1953-1959, in the Vermont State Legislature, where she served on the Education Committee and was much respected throughout the state for her careful estimate of educational problems and her intelligent and liberal decisions. She particularly encouraged the young people of her constituency to become interested in their own governement and in the government and people of other countries.