Rorer, Sarah Tyson

Sarah Tyson Heston Rorer (1849–1937) was a nineteenth-century American culinary superstar—a nationally recognized, respected, and beloved source of kitchen expertise who made her mark well before the advent of mass communication media. Rorer was born in Richboro, Pennsylvania. As a young wife, she countered suburban boredom by attending lectures at the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania. Rorer considered becoming a pharmacist or a physician but instead became the first American dietitian.

In 1879, Rorer began attending cooking classes at the New Century Club, a women’s club founded in 1877 in Philadelphia. Rorer devoted herself to the classes, becoming the star pupil. When the instructor resigned, Rorer took over teaching duties, which included lecturing at the Woman’s Medical College. Apprehensive about her qualifications, Rorer devoured nutrition texts and became convinced of the importance of diet in health and disease. Rorer also continued to attend lectures in chemistry, physiology, anatomy, and hygiene.