Women's Lives - 19th Century
About women's everyday lives, roles and status in the 1800s. More information under overviews, biographies and other topical subjects.
Book Review: The Other Civil War
Book review by Jone Johnson Lewis of Catherine Clinton's The Other Civil War on the massive changes in women's lives in America from the American Revolution through the American Civil War.
Book review by Jone Johnson Lewis of Catherine Clinton's The Other Civil War on the massive changes in women's lives in America from the American Revolution through the American Civil War.
Being a Woman
Article by Professor of History Paula Treckel about pioneer woman journalist Ida Tarbell, who, despite her own success, thought women should stay at home.
Article by Professor of History Paula Treckel about pioneer woman journalist Ida Tarbell, who, despite her own success, thought women should stay at home.
"The Best or None!" 19th Century Spinsterhood
Zsuzsa Berend, in a Summer 2000 article in the Journal of Social History, looks at New England women in the 19th century who chose not to marry, instead choosing careers and active lives in social reform movements. Article mentions (and, in most cases, quotes) Catharine Sedgwick, Clara Barton, Susan B. Anthony, Alice James, Frances Willard, Emily Howard, Lucy Stone and other "useful women."
Zsuzsa Berend, in a Summer 2000 article in the Journal of Social History, looks at New England women in the 19th century who chose not to marry, instead choosing careers and active lives in social reform movements. Article mentions (and, in most cases, quotes) Catharine Sedgwick, Clara Barton, Susan B. Anthony, Alice James, Frances Willard, Emily Howard, Lucy Stone and other "useful women."
Confessions of a Young Lady Laudanum Drinker
Anonymous article detailing the supposed effects of laudanum in a 19th century woman's life.
Anonymous article detailing the supposed effects of laudanum in a 19th century woman's life.
Cultural Biography of Lydia Maria Child
This extensive book review gives a flavor for the life of one notable 19th century woman who both followed expectations for a woman and broke through those limits. (See book links on this site for the book itself.)
This extensive book review gives a flavor for the life of one notable 19th century woman who both followed expectations for a woman and broke through those limits. (See book links on this site for the book itself.)
Good Housekeeping
Author Margaret Atwood reviews 19th century advice author Mrs. Beeton, as an illustration of different role expectations for women.
Author Margaret Atwood reviews 19th century advice author Mrs. Beeton, as an illustration of different role expectations for women.
London During the Nineteenth Century
"Woman, Economic Instability and Poverty," a study by AnnMarie Huysman (1998), exploring the relationship between gender and poverty.
"Woman, Economic Instability and Poverty," a study by AnnMarie Huysman (1998), exploring the relationship between gender and poverty.
Percentage of Women Working Outside the Home
Changes in women's place in the workforce over three decades, 1870-1900.
Changes in women's place in the workforce over three decades, 1870-1900.
Prostitute Who Read Sir Walter Scott
The life and death of Helen Jewett in 1836 New York, in a book review and the first chapter of the book by Patricia Cline Cohen.
The life and death of Helen Jewett in 1836 New York, in a book review and the first chapter of the book by Patricia Cline Cohen.
Women in America 1820-1842
Women's lives in early 19th century America, through the eyes of the writer Tocqueville and others, including several European women travelers.
Women's lives in early 19th century America, through the eyes of the writer Tocqueville and others, including several European women travelers.
Women in America: Health
Travelers to America in 1820-1842 describe health issues as they relate to the status and roles of women.
Travelers to America in 1820-1842 describe health issues as they relate to the status and roles of women.
Women's Rights Convention
An explanation of the need for the 1848 Seneca Falls convention, using the words of Emily Collins to illustrate the reasons used at the time.
An explanation of the need for the 1848 Seneca Falls convention, using the words of Emily Collins to illustrate the reasons used at the time.