Collection APL 191 - Kate and Elliott Merrick collection

Kate (Austin) and Elliott Merrick, Kate: (1895-1989), Elliott: (1905-1997). Kate Austin, originally from Australia, worked in Labrador as a nurse in the 1920s and 1930s. World War one influenced her decision to become a nurse, as it was an ideal occupation for travel and adventure. After being trained as a nurse, Kate left her family to work in France and later left France for Labrador in search of a more rugged experience. Elliott was the author of "Northern Nurse", a collaboration between husband and wife depicting Nurse Kate's experience in Labrador, as well as 7 other books and countless additional stories in magazines. Elliott was born into an affluent family in Montclair, New Jersey on May 11th, 1905. He worked with his father's firm, The National Lead Company for almost a year before travelling to Labrador as a volunteer with the Grenfell Mission. Following his time as a WOP (worker without pay) he stayed in Labrador as a schoolteacher in North West River where he met and courted Kate Austin. After the couple had been married and were expecting their first of three children they moved to New Jersey and later to a farm in Vermont, where the book "Northern Nurse" took shape. Kate died in 1989 at age 94 and Elliott died in 1997.