Elizabeth Pepper

Infobox Writer
name = Elizabeth Pepper Dacosta


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pseudonym =
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birthplace = Providence, Rhode Island flag|USA
deathdate = July 14, 2005
deathplace = Newport, Rhode Island
occupation = Writer, Editor, Graphic Designer
nationality = American
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subject = witchcraft
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influenced =


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Elizabeth Pepper DaCosta was the editor and publisher of "The Witches’ Almanac", established in 1971. The company, founded in Newport, Rhode Island, produces an annual publication in almanac format as well as a variety of related books. In addition to her literary work, Pepper was an accomplished graphic designer.

Early life

Born in Providence in 1926, she attended Pembroke College, Brown University, and the Rhode Island School of Design. As for other talented youngsters in the arts, Pepper moved to New York after college. There she did graduate work with type designers Arnold Bank, Howard Trafton and Freeman Craw. [http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usca&c=passages&id=9969] She enjoyed living in Greenwich Village, the center of the art world during the fifties, and spent summer vacations in Provincetown or on Fire Island.

Career

Pepper served as the art director of Gourmet Magazine from 1956 to 1963, the first woman to hold the position. The publication was smaller than the contemporary version, but what it lacked in readership it offered in swank. Under the ownership of Earl MacAusland, its headquarters were in the penthouse of the Plaza Hotel. Pepper had a little office under the eaves with a view of Central Park looking toward the zoo, where on fine days lunch could be taken on the cafeteria terrace. Lunch music was often provided by the bark of seals enjoying their noontime fish. During her tenure at the magazine, Pepper was married to Martin DaCosta of Philadelphia, a sculptor and painter. Da Costa, who died in 2004, was a veteran of WWII, and his work is part of permanent collections in Philadelphia, New York and the West Coast.

Personal life

Pepper was the daughter of Edward C. Pepper, a Providence real-estate developer, and Agnes Ryan Pepper. Elizabeth’s mother and an aunt read the tarot and from childhood interested Elizabeth in the occult. She spent her adult years, parallel to her professional life, accumulating wisdom in the study of witchcraft, mythology, astrology, folklore, magic, rituals, and plant and animal lore. At the time of her death in 2005, at the age of seventy-nine, her household included numerous dogs and cats, always part of the DaCosta home. She was attended during her last difficult year by a circle of loving friends.

Bibliography

Elizabeth Pepper DaCosta was the author/editor/publisher/designer of eleven books, many illustrated by medieval woodcuts:
*"Magic Charms from A to Z"
*"Love Charms"
*"Celtic Tree Magic"
*"Moon Lore"
*"Magic Spells and Incantations"
*"Love Feasts"
*"A Book of Days" (with John Wilcock)
*"Magical Creatures" (with Barbara Stacy)
*"Ancient Roman Holidays" (Barbara Stacy)
*"Witches All"
*"Random Recollections I, II, III, IV"