MacPhail, Elizabeth C. Kate Sessions: Pioneer Horticulturist. San Diego, CA: San Diego Historical Society, 1976.
The only published biography of Sessions tells her life story and makes some effort to place her in a larger historical perspective. First-hand accounts by those who knew Sessions are included. Substantial research was undertaken by the author—an admirable effort in pre-internet days—but additional primary source material about Sessions has come to light. As to botanical history, the most egregious error in the book misdates Sessions’ plant hunting trip with T. S. Brandegee to Baja California (page 67), although MacPhail cannot be faulted for this error. It was Sessions herself who inserted the wrong date of that important trip into the written record. Sessions traveled to the Baja Peninsula and imported the San Jose Hesper palm in 1902, not 1900.
REVIEWS
Garcia, Rosalie. “Kate Sessions: A Book Review.” Review of Kate Sessions: Pioneer Horticulturist, by Elizabeth C. MacPhail. California Garden 68:5 (Sept./Oct 1977): 132-134.
This review recapitulates the highlights of Sessions’ life and career at some length and highly recommends the book.
Otis, Arthur F. “Biography Hails ‘Mother of Balboa Park’,” San Diego Union, June 12, 1977, F-13.
A regular garden columnist for the San Diego Union praises biographer Elizabeth MacPhail for the “tremendous amount of research” undertaken and the “superb job” she did producing the book.
Martinez, Michele Lee. Kate Olivia Sessions: Plant Scientist, Thesis (M.A. History). University of San Diego, 1998.
This thesis offers a greater focus than the MacPhail book on Sessions as a horticulturist.
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Hopkins, Joe. The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever. La Jolla, CA: Beach Lane Books, 2013.
A charmingly illustrated and award-winning children’s book celebrating Sessions’ independence and influence as a planter of trees.
Raab, Joy. Kate Sessions: Mother of Balboa Park. La Mesa, Calif.: Ridgway Park Publishing, 2003.
Sessions’ life story is told in simple terms, with emphasis on her contributions to San Diego’s Balboa Park.