Fannie Merritt Farmer first published the "Boston Cooking School Cook Book" in 1896. Into the 1920s, this duty was undertaken by Cora D. Perkins. My version of Fannie Farmer is the 12th edition, published in 1979, always updated as necessary - but on my shelf, at least, not since then. The 12th edition was edited by Marion Cunningham, James Beard's former assistant. She is quoted in NY Times Food Critic and Gourmet Magazine Publisher Ruth Reichl's Tender at the Bone memoir. At a party at James Beards, Reichl doesn't know she just met wine critic Gerald Asher, She turs to Cunningham and says "Are you an important person, too?" the which Cunningham replied "Oh no, dear. I"m the last living home cook." Sort of important to me as it turns out. Joy of Cooking is most people's staple, but this is always my first go-to.