Once undervalued among literary scholars, diaries have been recognized in the late twentieth century as an important aspect of literature created by women. Among the most interesting diaries written during the American Revolution are those kept by a Loyalist, Grace Growden Galloway, while the world as she had known it was completely destroyed. The wife of a prominent Loyalist who was considered one of the greatest traitors to the American cause, Galloway wrote her diaries during the years 1778-1779, while she remained alone in Philadelphia (after her husband had fled) to fight for legal recognition of her right to her own property.

Produced by women whose literary output was often limited by circumstance, diaries have particular conventions that change with each literary period. Unlike modern diary writers, eighteenth-century diary keepers were not concerned with personal revelation. In the interpretation of a diary, biography provides essential context. Unfortunately, biographical...