The brave people who stayed in the city and helped the sick were extraordinary. The volunteers of the Free African Society, those who worked at Bush Hill, and the members of the Mayor's Committee devoted themselves with incredible courage to care for strangers. They are the real heroes of this story.
YELLOW FEVER TODAY
Yellow fever still exists, but not in the United States. In 1902 Dr. Walter Reed discovered that the female Aedes aegypti mosquito spreads the disease. In the 1930s a vaccine was developed, but yellow fever still kills thousands of people a year in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South America.
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Acknowledgements
My deepest thanks to The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, one of the oldest historical societies in the United States. Most of the research for this book was done in their excellent collection of newspapers, diaries, letters, and account books written during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793.
Although writing is done in solitude, it was my good fortune to work with and be supported by a wonderful group of people as I researched and wrote this book. My humble appreciation and gratitude to all:
Anna "Coxie" Cox Toogood, Historian of Independence National Park, Philadelphia, and Gretchen Worden, Director, Mutter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Both of these authorities on the 1793 epidemic meticulously checked the manuscript for historical errors and pesky anachronisms. Any factual errors or historical misinterpretations that crept into the book despite their vigilance are the responsibility of the author.
Janet Theophano, Ph.D., Assistant Director, College of General Studies of the University of Pennsylvania and professor of folklore, who wisely counseled me about the roles of women in the 1790s and directed me to the hidden treasures of recipe books.
Bob Arnebeck, historian and author, for making rare documents and translations available on his Web site.
My editor, Kevin L. Lewis, for his endless enthusiasm and for believing in this book. Heather Dietz, who saw an early draft of the manuscript and made some excellent suggestions. You guys are the best.
The hundreds of kids and teachers who encouraged me to keep writing so they could find out what happened at the end of the story.
My husband, Greg, who stayed up late at night looking for comma mistakes, and who was very patient when the author became a bit bear-like.
And last, but not least, my amazing daughters, Stephanie and Meredith, for putting up with all the family trips to historical reenactments, dusty libraries, and damp cemeteries. I vow never ever to tell another chamber pot story.
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Laurie Halse Anderson
began work on Fever 1793 i 1993 after she came across an article in her local newspaper commemorating the epidemic that had devastated Philadelphia two centuries before. The acclaimed author of Speak, which was a National Book Award Finalist, an ALA Michael L. Printz Honor book, and an ALA "Best Book for "Young Adults," as well as several picture books, she lives in Pennsylvania, with her husband, two teenage daughters, and a cat.
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