Margaret Marshall Saunders was born in her grandparent’s Milton home on April 13, 1861.

Her parents are descendants of the Mayflower.

She was born to Rev. Edward Manning Saunders and Marie Freeman Saunders.

She was one of six children.

Saunders spent the first six years of her life in the Annapolis Valley before her family moved to Halifax in 1867.

Later she studied in both Scotland and France.

Beautiful Joe Heritage Society administrative coordinator, Annie Turner said Saunders attended a Scottish-French boarding school with Lucy Maude Montgomery.

Before beginning her writing career, Saunders was a schoolteacher for three years in Nova Scotia.

After that she wrote for various magazines and newspapers in North America before completing her first book called “My Spanish Sailor” in 1887.

She published under the name Marshall Saunders, as it was more masculine.

Her success came when she entered a contest put on by the American Humane Education Society.

They were looking for a story similar to “Black Beauty,” and offered a prize of $200.

While visiting family in Meaford, Ontario she met Beautiful Joe, a dog who was mistreated by his owner.

Saunders “was so inspired by” the true story, she wrote the book “Beautiful Joe,” said Turner.

The book won her the $200 prize.

In 1894 she published “Beautiful Joe” under the name Marshall Saunders.

It was set in Maine and told through the dog’s point of view.

Over 800,000 copies sold in the U.S.A. by 1900.

More than 40,000 copies sold in Canada and over 100,000 in Britain.

By 1927 “Beautiful Joe” had sold over 1-million copies.

Beautiful Joe exists in 14 different languages including brail, said Turner.

“Beautiful Joe was once considered required reading in Canadian schools,” noted Turner.

Saunders went on to write 25 books in her lifetime.

She moved to Toronto, Ontario in 1914 where she settled with her sister and numerous pets.

Saunders did not marry.

Saunders wrote a sequel to Beautiful Joe in 1902 but it was not as famous as the first, said Turner.

“In 1934 on her 73rd birthday, King George V awarded her the commander of the British Empire,” stated Turner.

She said Saunders considered it her most prestigious award.

Throughout her lifetime Saunders belonged to more than 20 organizations including the National Council of Women and the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.

The Maritime branch of the Canadian Women’s Press Club was co-founded by Saunders and Lucy Maude Montgomery, added Turner.

Saunders was a real advocate for animal rights and women’s rights, she commented.

Saunders passed away at the age of 86 on Feb. 15, 1947.

The Queens County Museum remembers Saunders through a permanent exhibit, which includes a photograph of the original Beautiful Joe.

There is also a plaque in her honour in Milton’s Tupper Park.

As well, the children’s section of Thomas Raddall Library is in Saunder’s name.

Beautiful Joe Park honours Saunder’s memory, located in Meaford, Ontario.

It is maintained by the Beautiful Joe Heritage Society.

Buried on the grounds is the real Beautiful Joe.

The park consists of 8.5 acres of land that houses a historical place and a tribute to police K-9’s as well as a memorial tribute to a K-9 killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on New York.

“We’re saddened by the fact she’s not more recognized as a famous Canadian,” commented Turner.

There is also a Margaret Marshall Saunders collection in the Acadia University Archives.

For more information visit www.beautifuljoe.org.