Florence Scovel Shinn
Born 1871 · Age 154
American artist and book illustrator who became a New Thought spiritual teacher and metaphysical writer; best known for The Game of Life and How to Play It (1925).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Camden, New Jersey
Florence Scovel (later Shinn) was born to Alden Cortlandt Scovel and Emily Hopkinson Scovel in Camden, NJ.
Met Everett Shinn at PAFA
Met future husband Everett Shinn while attending the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
Student at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (documented in group photo)
Appears in a 1894 PAFA group picture, confirming attendance and studies in Philadelphia.
Married Everett Shinn
Florence Scovel married artist Everett Shinn; they later lived in a studio apartment in Greenwich Village, NYC.
Moved into studio at 112 Waverly Place, Greenwich Village
After marriage the couple moved into a studio apartment near Washington Square Park; Everett built a theatre next door.
Acted in plays written by Everett Shinn
Everett built a theatre next to their studio and wrote three plays in which Florence played leading roles (early 1900s).
Active magazine and commercial illustrator (early 1900s)
Throughout the early 1900s she illustrated fiction and magazine material for Harper's and other popular periodicals.
Illustrated Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch
Produced illustrations for the popular novel Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch (1901).
Peer recognition despite gender barriers
Despite the Society of Illustrators not admitting women to full membership until 1922, Shinn achieved Associate Membership (1903), marking professional recognition.
Elected Associate Member, Society of Illustrators
The Society of Illustrators elected her to an Associate Membership in 1903 (women were not admitted to full membership until 1922).
Published drawing in Harper's Monthly ("Childhood's Happy Hour")
One of her drawings appeared in Harper's Monthly (August 1903), demonstrating her active illustration career in magazines.
Drawing published in The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine
Work published in The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine (circa 1904), further evidence of her magazine-illustration career.
Spent summers in Plainfield / Cornish Art Colony
The couple spent summers in Plainfield, New Hampshire (Cornish Art Colony) in a Colonial-style house designed by Everett Shinn (early 1900s).
Included in Biographical Sketches of American Artists
Appears in Helen L. Earle's Biographical Sketches of American Artists (1912), which documents her career as an illustrator.
Divorce from Everett Shinn
Florence and Everett Shinn divorced in 1912, marking a major personal change.
Began transition to New Thought spiritual teacher
In her middle years Florence moved from commercial illustration toward metaphysical teaching and lecturing (activity increased in 1920s).
Recognized as part of the New Thought movement
With the publication of The Game of Life Shinn became widely recognized as a New Thought writer in the tradition of Quimby, Eddy, Hopkins, and the Fillmores.
Self-published The Game of Life and How to Play It
First and best-known metaphysical book; includes anecdotes, Bible quotations, and practical affirmations; became influential in New Thought circles.
Influenced later motivational authors (e.g., Louise Hay)
Florence's writings later influenced 20th-century motivational authors, including Louise Hay, who cited her as an early influence.
Published Your Word Is Your Wand
Second major metaphysical book expanding on affirmations and the power of the spoken word.
Referenced in periodicals and continuing public presence
Her family lineage and cultural significance (e.g., relation to Francis Hopkinson) and her work continued to be noted in publications like Musical Courier (example of continuing profile).
Published The Secret Door to Success
Collection of lectures/essays; Emmet Fox wrote the foreword (1940).
Died at home, 1136 Fifth Avenue, New York City
Florence Scovel Shinn died after 'an illness of several weeks' at her home on October 17, 1940.
Obituary published in The New York Times and Daily News
New York newspapers ran obituaries noting her work as a writer, lecturer, and illustrator.
Posthumous publication: The Power of the Spoken Word
Shinn Press published a posthumous collection emphasizing affirmations and the spoken word (1945).
Collected works published: The Wisdom of Florence Scovel Shinn
Collected edition compiling four complete books brought renewed availability of her core writings.
The Magic Path of Intuition published (posthumous)
Louise Hay House published a previously unpublished typewritten manuscript, The Magic Path of Intuition, after acquiring it from a rare-book dealer.
Audiobook release: Your Word Is Your Wand (narration by Hillary Hawkins)
One of Shinn's classic titles was released as an audiobook (reported 2014).
Audiobook release: The Game of Life and How to Play It (narration by Hillary Hawkins)
The Game of Life was released as an audiobook in 2015, expanding modern access to her work.
Key Achievement Ages
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