Talk:Catherine Ann Janvier

Latest comment: 9 years ago by CaroleHenson in topic Catherine / Catharine

Catherine / Catharine

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I saw a comment in the edit summary about her name being spelled "Catharine" in a blog. I see that her named is spelled both as Catherine and Catharine by reliable sources. But it seems to be spelled much more frequently "Catherine". The New York Public Library archives of her works, correspondence, etc., much of which she donated, has her name spelled Catherine. I'm going to try and find the google names query. It seems to warrant at least a note for her name.--CaroleHenson (talk) 01:56, 18 March 2015 (UTC)Reply

According to Google ngrams, for the Drinker surname, there's no contest - it's far and away "Catherine"
According to Google ngrams, For Janvier, there was a spike between 1957 and 1964 when Catharine was used more frequently, but she is more consistently Catherine.
I'll add a note to the article.--CaroleHenson (talk) 02:09, 18 March 2015 (UTC)Reply
This is getting more complex. When Catherine worked as an artist, she was pretty universally Catherine A. Drinker or Catherine Ann Drinker. When she began writing, I think she started spelling her name Catharine -- perhaps to differentiate herself from biographer Catherine Drinker / Catherine Drinker Bowen. I double-checked her authority files and they are under the spelling of "Catharine". Even wackier, though, her life's manuscripts, photos, and other papers are under the name Catherine with the New York Public Library. If anyone is reading this: Any thoughts or suggestions?--CaroleHenson (talk) 04:54, 18 March 2015 (UTC)Reply