Rorer, Sarah Tyson (1849β1937) one of the most prolific and influential American cookery writers. Her biographer (Weigley, 1977) credits her with 54 cookery books or booklets, and cites much evidence of her important role in shaping the study of home economics and dietetics. She has been described as the first American dietitian. Mrs Rorer came late to the profession and had little formal instruction. Having enrolled for a cookery course at Philadelphia in 1879, and having completed it with distinction, she was asked to take it over when the teacher resigned. She did, and never looked back.