The Perfect Tribute

Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews (1860-1936) was an American writer best known for her novella 'The Perfect Tribute,' which achieved considerable popularity in the early 20th century. Born in Mobile, Alabama, and raised in New York, Andrews was the wife of a prominent attorney and the mother of three. Despite her family and social commitments, she carved out a successful literary career for herself. 'The Perfect Tribute,' published in 1906, is arguably her most famous work, which weaves a poignant, if historically fanciful, account of Abraham Lincoln's delivery of the Gettysburg Address and its aftermath. The story was well received, and it was adapted into a feature film in 1935. Andrews's writing is characterized by its earnestness and moral overtones, as she often grappled with themes of honor, sacrifice, and patriotism. Her prose style falls squarely within the genteel tradition, marked by a didactic tone that sought to edify as well as entertain. Although her popularity has waned since her death, Andrews remains a figure of note in early American 20th-century literature for her ability to capture the imaginations and hearts of her contemporaries with stories of American virtue and democratic ideals.