One of the most wonderful women of the nineteenth century was dorothea l. Women of faith 1st women social reformers history in the making early america amazing moms. While she was there she met british social reformers who inspired her. Dix, dorothea lynde, 180287, american social reformer, pioneer in the movement for humane treatment of the insane, b. Congress, dix created the first generation of american mental hospitals. Inspired, dix returned to massachusetts in 1841 and began her second career as a reformer at the age of 39. Dixs record of publications and the social circles accessible to her through.
Dorothea dix was the most politically engaged woman of her generation. Social reformer the new nation biographies witteman, barbara on. We have 1 answer for the clue social reformer dorothea. Dorothea lynde dix was a remarkably foresighted educator and social reformer who made major contributions to the welfare of persons with mental illness, prisoners, and injured civil war soldiers. Through a long and vigorous program of lobbying state legislatures and the u.
A biography of the nineteenthcentury reformer who devoted much of her life to improving the treatment of the mentally ill in the united states. Dorothea dix 18021887 was a social reformer, primarily for the treatment of the mentally ill, and the most visible humanitarian of the 19th century. She was a leading figure in those national and international movements that challenged the idea that people with mental disturbances could not be cured or helped. Dorothea dix biography childhood, life achievements. Her tireless dedication improved living conditions and treatment for people with mental illnesses. Illness forced her to close the school, and in an attempt to restore her health she went on an lengthy trip to england. Born in hampden, maine, in 1802, dorothea dix was a social reformer whose devotion to the welfare of the mentally ill led to widespread international reforms. Dorothea dix was a social reformer dedicated to changing conditions for. Dix, dorothea lynde 04 april 180217 july 1887, social reformer, was born in hampden, maine on the penobscot river, the daughter of joseph dix, a minister, and mary bigelow. Explore our editors picks for the best kids books of the month. Dorothea dix returned to her work as a social justice reformer. Dix, dorothea lynde 04 april 180217 july 1887, social reformer, was born in. An influential lobbyist as well as a paragon of the doctrine of female benevolence, dorothea dix vividly illustrated the complexities of the separate spheres of politics and femininity. At this time, social reformers such as dorothea dix were advocating for better services for all persons.
Dorothea dix was the most politically engaged woman of her generation, which was itself a remarkable tapestry of activists. Dix, dorothea lyndedorothea lynde dix 1 was a remarkably foresighted educator and social reformer who made major contributions to the welfare of persons with mental illness, prisoners, and injured civil war 2 soldiers. Barbara witteman a biography of the nineteenthcentury reformer who devoted much of her life to improving the treatment of the mentally ill in the united states. An activist who disdained the womens rights and antislavery movements, dix, an oldline whig, sought to promote national harmony and became the only new england social reformer to work successfully in the.
During her early years dorothea shared a small cottage with her parents and two younger brothers. Dorothea dix is the story of a woman who held that a wholesome moral. Dorothea dix played an instrumental role in the founding or expansion of more. Dorothea dix was a pioneer of mental health reform and made important contributions in her field.
After several bad starts, america finally enjoyed about a decade of real reform. Dorothea dix was a social reformer dedicated to changing conditions for people who could not help themselvesthe mentally ill and the imprisoned. Their goals were prison libraries, basic literacy for bible reading, reduction of whipping and. Dorothea dix book hillsborough county public library. Idealism, plus hope in the perfectibility of institutions, spurred a new generation of leaders including francis lieber, samuel gridley howe and the peerless dix. A biography of dorothea dix, the nineteenthcentury reformer who devoted much. For most of history, virginia woolf suggested, anonymous was a woman. This is a comprehensive biography of a nearly forgotten social reformer of the 19th century. Though she was a frail and overworked woman, she had a gentle, loving disposition, but with a will like steel. Dorothea dix was born on april 4, 1802 in the frontier town of hampden, maine.
During her long life 18021887 she was an author of childrens books, a teacher, a prison reformer, the moral and political force behind the creation of many mental hospitals, and superintendant of women nurses for the union army during the civil war dorothea dix is a sound scholarly biography of a formidable american woman. Her efforts on behalf of the mentally ill and prisoners helped create dozens of new institutions across the united states and in. Brown has recovered dorothea dix, not as a 20thcentury reader would have liked to have her, but as she really was. The face of the mental health reform this was made as a high school project. Dorothea lynde dix april 4, 1802 july 17, 1887 was an american advocate on behalf of the indigent mentally ill who, through a vigorous and sustained program of lobbying state legislatures and the united states congress, created the first generation of american mental asylums. Because her family was quite poor, she often traveled to boston to live with her grandparents. Dorothea dix played an instrumental role in the founding or expansion of more than 30 hospitals for the treatment of the mentally ill. After her own experience with depression and recovery, dorothea dix became a passionate champion of the moral treatment popular in europe. She began to write, and her booksfilled with the simple dictums and morals that were. Books by dorothea lynde dix author of on behalf of the.
Dorothea lynde dix 18021887 was an author, teacher and reformer. Dorothea dix, mental health, and idealism rock the. After the war, dix returned to her work as a social reformer. Not only a crusader, she was also a teacher, author, lobbyist, and superintendent of nurses during the civil war. Go search your store deals store gift cards sell help. Her efforts on behalf of the mentally ill and prisoners helped create dozens.
Browns book, clearly and elegantly written, thoroughly researched, is the best book on 19thcentury reform since lou masurs rites of execution. And for the most part, even those women whose names we know have not gotten their due. Dix, dorothea lynde 18021887, social reformer american. Other books of dixs include private hours, alice and ruth, and prisons and prison discipline. During the civil war, she served as superintendent of army nurses. Dorothea dix dorothea lynde dix april 4, 1802july 18, 1887, in her early career a teacher and author of childrens books, was, in her unique and international role as an advocate for improvements in the treatment of patients suffering from mental and emotional disorders, the most visible humanitarian reformer. Library of congress digital id cph 3a12244 miss dorothea dix 1802 1887. As the oldest child, she took care of the familys small one room cabin and helped to raise her younger siblings. A biography of dorothea dix, the nineteenthcentury reformer who devoted much of her life to improving the treatment of the mentally ill in the united states. However, dix often clashed with army officials due to her dislike of their drinking and fighting. Dorothea dix april 4, 1802 june 18, 1887, american. There, she stayed with a quaker family, the rathbones, and through them met many british social reformers, including those involved with the lunacy reform movement that was investigating the conditions of asylums and madhouses. The social reformers 40year campaign sought to end the abuse of people with mental illness that she found chained, naked, beaten with rods.
In december 1866 she was awarded two national flags for her service during the civil war. An increased interest in persons with disabilities in the early part of the 19th century found its way to social practice by 1850. Dorothea lynde dix april 4, 1802 july 17, 1887 was an american activist on behalf of the indigent insane who, through a vigorous program of lobbying state legislatures and the united states congress, created the first generation of american mental asylums. During the civil war, she served as a superintendent of army nurses. Prisons and prison discipline in the united states patterson smith reprint series in criminology, law enforcement, and social problems by. Dorothea lynde dix s most popular book is on behalf of the insane poor. Other volunteer female nurses disliked her due to her strict nature. Dorothea dixs tireless fight to end inhumane treatment.
The nineteenth century in the united states saw a large number of social reform movements. Her greatest legislative initiative, a campaign for federal land grants to endow state mental. Dorothea lynde dix april 4, 1802 july 17, 1887 was an american advocate on behalf of the. Today marks the 218th birthday of dorothea lynde dix, one of the americas most eminent reformers of the living conditions and treatment of the mentally ill. Dorothea dix and the mental hygiene movement exploring. This article examines the contributions of dorothea dix and jane addams to american social reform in terms of the political and ultimately philosophical commitments of american culture. Things 1824, dix subsequently produced other books, including ten short. Dorothea dix, american educator, social reformer, and humanitarian whose devotion to the welfare of the mentally ill led to widespread reforms in the united states and abroad. Rights activist on behalf of mentally ill patients created first wave of us mental asylums. As social reformers, both dix and addams belong to one side of a basic bipolarity in american liberalism, in which their common concern with cultural standards and individual selfdevelopment sharply divides. Teacher, nurse, social reformer and advocate for the mentally ill by dr. Dorothea dix was born in hampden, maine on april 4, 1802. An influential lobbyist as well as a paragon of the doctrine of female benevolence, she vividly illustrated the complexities of the separate spheres of politics and femininity.