Simmons, Amelia

Amelia Simmons was the author of American Cookery, which first appeared in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1796. The work appears to be the earliest extant published cookbook written by an American. Previously published cookbooks in the colonies had simply been reprints of English works. What is described on the title page as “the second edition” was published in Albany, New York. No date is given, but Eleanor Lowenstein (Bibliography of American Cookery Books) cited an advertisement for the work in the Albany Gazette of 31 October 1796. Lowenstein listed thirteen appearances of the work; there were also pirated editions.