WI BIO - Dane Co - MOORE, Aubertine Woodward
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 348-349

Aubertine Woodward MOORE, the subject of this sketch, was born near 
Philadelphia, PA, 27 Sep 1841. In attempting to write the biography of such 
a person, one is somewhat confused at the beginning, not for lack of 
material, but in consequence of the abundance of it. The majority of lives 
are meager in incidents that are of interest to the world at large. Many 
people whose histories possess attractions for those who know them personally 
can furnish but little to hold the attention of people in general. A notable 
exception to this rule is Mrs. MOORE. Her life has indeed been full of 
endeavor, the results of which make history that strikes the keynote of 
universal harmony, so as to awaken a responsive chord in every human breast. 
She seems to have led a full and complete existence as wife, homemaker, 
hostess, church worker, musician, author, philanthropist, and friend. On the 
maternal side she is of Swedish descent. Her father and grandfather were 
publishers in the Quaker City [Philadelphia, PA], and she can say, with Dr. 
Holmes, that she was born among books, and they became her daily food and 
drink. Indeed, from earliest years she was surrounded by a literary and 
musical atmosphere.

Mr. MOORE's earlier efforts appeared over the nom de plume of "Auber 
FORESTIER," the first two syllables of the given name being retained, while 
the surname was rendered into French. She gave many years to the study of 
music under the best masters, among whom was Carl GAERTNER, the famous 
violinist and composer, who held that music was the key for the development 
of the spiritual nature. This interest in and enthusiasm for music has never 
been lost, and she has always been the center of a circle of musical people 
capable of understanding and appreciating all that was brightest and best in 
the art. There are enthusiasms which flame fiercely in the youth, only to 
gradually burn low and die out with the years, but Mrs. MOORE's love for 
music is not one of them; rather it was developed and perfected with 
womanhood.

Her first attempts in the literary field were translations of musical 
sketches and criticisms, published both in America and Germany. Early in 
life she spent some time in California, from which State she wrote very 
entertaining letters to various Philadelphia publications. These letters 
contained so much of practical value that most readers thought the writer 
must be a man, and numerous missives addressed to Mr. Forester, seeking 
further knowledge of the resources of the Golden State were received by her. 
Upon her return to the East she published the following translations of 
German novels: "Sphinx," by Robert Byr (1871); "Above Tempest and Tide," by 
Sophia Verena (1873); "Struggle for Existence," by Robert Byr (1873). The 
translation of that brilliant work of Victor Cherbuliez' "Saml. Brohl & Co.," 
which appeared as No. 1 in Appleton's series of "Foreign Authors," was also 
the work of "Auber Forestier," although the translator's name does not appear 
on the title page of the series; the publishers wished to make the name of 
the foreign author prominent, rather than that of the English translator. 
Stories, sketches, translations of poetry for music and original songs 
occupied the time until the attention of this busy lady was attracted to the 
"Niebelungen Lied," the result was that in 1887 she published her "Echoes 
from Mist Land" or the "Niebelungen Lay Revealed to Lovers of Romance and 
Chivalry," This is the prose version of the famous old heroic poem, with an 
elaborate introductory [p 349] account of its discovery by Bodmer in 1757, as 
well as the history of the material of which it is composed. This was he 
first American edition of the Lay, and it was dedicated to Rasmus B. 
ANDERSON, professor of Scandinavian languages in the University of Wisconsin, 
as an acknowledgement of the valuable suggestions offered by him in the 
composition of the introductory pages. The book received laudatory notices 
from the press all over the country, besides calling forth favorable comment 
from the leading periodicals and prominent journals of Germany. The 
supplement to Meyer's "Conversations Lexicon," published in 1880-1881, 
contains a biographical sketch of "Auber FORESTIER," in which flattering 
mention is made of this particular work.

In 1879 Mrs. MOORE went to Madison to continue her researches in Scandinavian 
literature under the direction of Professor R. B. ANDERSON, in whose family 
her home was made until her marriage to Samuel H. MOORE, formerly of 
Pennsylvania. As an author, Mrs. MOORE has a style of her own. Her 
translations from the Norse and German have been almost numberless, and the 
range of subjects is limitless. With wonderful adaptability she has rendered 
into English the poetic gems, such as "Over the Lofty Mountains," "On the 
Hill of Glass," "The Erl King," and it is needless to say that they lose none 
of their meaning from passing under her pen. It would take a long time to 
tell of the works that she has assisted in giving to the world, but among 
them are "Spellbound Fiddler," "Eminent Authors," "The Norway Music Album," 
and some of BJORNSON's novels.

The introduction to the "Music Album," which the title page tells us is "a 
selection for home use from Norway's folk songs, dances, etc., national airs 
and recent compositions arranged for piano-forte, and also singing," is 
worthy of more than passing notice. It is really a critical survey of the 
music of Norway, giving biographical sketches of fifteen leading composers. 
Three editions of this work were brought out in a short time. The songs are 
given in the original Norwegian and also in an English translation. The 
music is grand and soul-stirring, the kind that Ole BULL [see also the Dane, 
County, WI, biography of Ole BULL] associated with the fjords and gloomy 
pines of Norway. The national airs and dances have a weird though 
fascinating movement which cannot fail to charm all lovers of music. The 
words of some of the songs are written by BJORNSON and it is needless to add 
are poetic gems. These are translated by Mrs. MOORE in such a perfect manner 
that one can be sure they have lost none of their freshness by the change, 
for they are as sparkling and clear as the mountain streams of the land from 
which they come. Her delight in fiction is writing musical stories, and in 
this field she is without a competitor.

There is a demand for the class of literature she seems well qualified to 
furnish. Among the periodicals to which she is a valued contributor are The 
Weekly Wisconsin, the Woman's and Youth's departments of the New York World, 
and the New York Home Journal. Mrs. MOORE is a resident of the city of 
Madison. Here she has a beautiful and happy home that overlooks the lovely 
lake Monona, and has many attractions. Over this she presides with womanly 
grace and characteristic hospitality.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly