Lippincott Family Genealogy & History

Sara Jane Lippincott, known by her pseudonym Grace Greenwood, was a pioneering American writer, poet, and journalist renowned for her advocacy of social reform and women's rights. As one of the first women to access the Congressional press galleries, she made significant contributions to the abolitionist movement and women's suffrage. Her prolific career includes children's literature like "History of My Pets" and esteemed works for adults such as "Greenwood Leaves" and "New Life in New Lands." Lippincott's editorial and writing work extended to notable publications like Godey's Lady's Book and the Saturday Evening Post, cementing her role as a respected voice in 19th-century American literature.

Born on September 23, 1823, in Pompey, New York, Sara Jane Clarke was the daughter of Deborah Baker Clarke and Dr. Thaddeus C. Clarke, a descendant of Jonathan Edwards' family. Her family moved to New Brighton, Pennsylvania, where her father practiced medicine and where she considered her lifelong home. Clarke's education included studies in Italian, algebra, and literature, which shaped her career as a writer and correspondent. Her upbringing in a family with significant ancestral ties influenced her literary path and social consciousness.

Andy Lippincott is a fictional character from the "Doonesbury" comic strip, created by Garry Trudeau. As an openly gay attorney, Andy is notable for being one of the first openly homosexual characters in newspaper comics. His storyline addresses key issues of the 1980s gay culture, including the AIDS crisis, as he battles HIV and ultimately dies from the disease. Andy's character is also recognized for his contributions to political campaigns and the Bay Area Gay Alliance, marking him as a community leader. His legacy includes a panel on the AIDS quilt, celebrating his fictional achievements as an Olympic medalist and Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Sarah Lee Lippincott was a pioneering American astronomer renowned for her significant contributions to astrometry, particularly in characterizing binary stars and searching for extrasolar planets. As professor emerita of astronomy and director emerita of Swarthmore College's Sproul Observatory, she worked closely with Peter van de Kamp. Her work led to the successful optical resolution of the binary star system Ross 614 using the Hale Telescope. Lippincott authored over one hundred papers and received numerous accolades, including the Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Achievement Award and an honorary doctorate from Villanova University. She was also married to Dave Garroway, the founding host of NBC's Today show.

Joseph Wharton Lippincott (1887–1976) was a distinguished publisher, author, naturalist, and sportsman known for his extensive contributions to literature and publishing. He served as president and chairman of the board of J.B. Lippincott & Co., a prominent Philadelphia publishing firm, for over five decades. An accomplished author, Lippincott wrote seventeen books focusing on animals and nature, with titles like "Wilderness Champion" and "The Wolf King." He also established the Joseph W. Lippincott Award for Outstanding Librarianship in 1938, which remains a prestigious honor in the library community.

Joseph Wharton Lippincott was born into a notable Philadelphia family, the son of J. Bertram Lippincott and Joanna Wharton Lippincott. His paternal grandfather, Joshua Ballinger Lippincott, founded the J.B. Lippincott Company, while his maternal grandfather, Joseph Wharton, was a renowned industrialist and founder of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. This illustrious family background significantly influenced his career and achievements.