Dorothea dix, in full dorothea lynde dix, born april 4, 1802, hampden, district of maine, massachusetts now in maine, u. Dorothea dix continued to lobby for reform until her death in 1887 at the new jersey state hospital, morris plains, new jerseythe first hospital to be built as a result of her efforts, some forty years earlier. 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. During her long life 18021887 she was an author of childrens books. Dix s record of publications and the social circles accessible to her through her grandmothers significant wealth allowed her to mix with some of the brightest and most influential thinkers of her time. Books by dorothea lynde dix author of on behalf of the. In december 1866 she was awarded two national flags for her service during the civil war. Dorothea lynde dixs most popular book is on behalf of the insane poor. Author amy paulson herstek traces the life and career of dorothea dix, the great social reformer who broke barriers to make a stand for better treatment for the mentally ill in an age when women, too, were considered secondclass citizens. Dorothea lynde dix further readings persons, mental.
Teacher, nurse, social reformer and advocate for the mentally ill by dr. Dorothea dix was an educator and social reformer whose devotion to the welfare of the mentally ill led to widespread reforms in the united states and abroad. Illness forced her to close the school, and in an attempt to restore her health she went on an lengthy trip to england. With all of dorothea s extraordinary work as a nurse and representative of the mentally ill, dorothea is of extreme importance to history, for without her, conditions for the mentally ill could have been terrible. During the civil war she served as the superintendent of army nurses. Dorothea dix was the most politically engaged woman of her generation, which was itself a remarkable tapestry of activists. Mental health reformer and civil war nurse march 29, 2012, by alyssa desrochers, intern, institutional history division throughout the next months, the smithsonian institution archives will feature posts related to the smithsonian and the civil war in honor of the 150th anniversary of the american civil war. The marilyn monroe story rare 1963 documentary duration. She championed causes for both the mentally ill and indigenous populations. Ppsemiindef 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. A biography of the nineteenthcentury reformer who devoted much of her life to improving the treatment of the mentally ill in the united states. Media related to dorothea lynde dix at wikimedia commons. Mar 28, 2017 however, dix often clashed with army officials due to her dislike of their drinking and fighting.
A social reformer dedicated to changing conditions for people who could not help themselves, dorothea dix was a champion for the mentally ill and the imprisoned. Dorothea dix returned to her work as a social justice reformer. Dix left her unhappy home at age 12 to live and study in boston with her grandmother. Dix, dorothea lynde 04 april 180217 july 1887, social reformer, was born in. Into this milieu stepped dorothea dix, a social reformer and advocate for the helpless and forgotten who would be pronounced by charles sumner as herself alone a whole prison discipline society brown, 1998, p. A biography of dorothea dix, the nineteenthcentury reformer who devoted much. Dorothea dix, for example, was a reformer of the mentally ill who changed the way mental institutions are run today. 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. During the civil war, she served as superintendent of army nurses.
Not only a crusader, she was also a teacher, author, lobbyist, and superintendent of nurses during the civil war. She began writing textbooks, with her most famous, conversations on. Congress, dix created the first generation of american mental hospitals. Parallels in time a history of developmental disabilities.
This moral treatment of insanity was based on miss dixs religious view of life she was a unitarian. Dorothea dix was an educator and social reformer whose devotion to. Dorothea dix was born on april 4, 1802 in the frontier town of hampden, maine. Other volunteer female nurses disliked her due to her strict nature. 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. During the civil war, she served as a superintendent of army nurses. Dorothea lynde dix was born in hampden, maine, in 1802. Dorothea lynde dix 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. See more ideas about important people in history, female dragon and american civil war. By doing this work, she openly challenged 19 th century notions of reform and illness. The social reformers 40year campaign sought to end the abuse of people with. She had a difficult childhood as her father was gone much of the time and her mother suffered from depression.
Things 1824, dix subsequently produced other books, including ten short. Dorothea dix the face of the mental health reform youtube. As the oldest child, she took care of the familys small one room cabin and helped to raise her younger siblings. Dorothea dix was a social reformer dedicated to changing conditions for. 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. 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 biography childhood, life achievements.
The social reformer s 40year campaign sought to end the abuse of people with mental illness that she found chained, naked, beaten with rods, and lashed into obedience. Social reformer the new nation biographies library binding january 1, 2003 by barbara witteman author visit amazons barbara witteman page. 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. This moral treatment of insanity was based on miss dix s religious view of life she was a unitarian. Dorothea dix students britannica kids homework help. Dorothea dix played an instrumental role in the founding or expansion of more than 30 hospitals for the treatment of the mentally ill. 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. New england reformer harvard historical studies brown, thomas j.
The compassionate crusader who revolutionized care for the mentally ill posted on april 3, 2020 by katherine at a time when people with mental illness were often abused and kept in inhumane conditions, dorothea dix s 40yearlong crusade for the reform of mental asylums in the us, canada, and europe made her renowned worldwide as. Nov 14, 2018 dorothea dix 18021887 was a social reformer, primarily for the treatment of the mentally ill, and the most visible humanitarian of the 19th century. American educator, social reformer, and humanitarian dorothea dix devoted her life to the welfare of the mentally ill. Dorothea dix book hillsborough county public library. Her specific appeal that the united states set aside 5 million acres of land throughout the nation to accommodate persons with disabilities was passed by both houses of congress. May 07, 2014 the face of the mental health reform this was made as a high school project. Dorothea lynde dix was born on april 4, 1802, in hampden, district of maine, massachusetts now in. During her long life 18021887 she was an author of childrens books, a teacher, a prison reformer, the. Working hard to help americas mentally ill was dorothea. Other books of dixs include private hours, alice and ruth, and prisons and prison discipline. Social reformer dorothea is a crossword puzzle clue that we have spotted 6 times. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Social reformer by barbara witteman, marjorie l ororke consultant editor online at alibris.
Teacher, nurse, social reformer and advocate for the mentally ill. Samuel torrey, and others, as well as interviews with various people who knew her. Because her family was quite poor, she often traveled to boston to live with her grandparents. During her long life 18021887 she was an author of childrens books, a teacher, a prison reformer, the moral and. A biography of dorothea dix, the nineteenthcentury reformer. Dorothea dix was a social reformer dedicated to changing conditions for people who could not help themselvesthe mentally ill and the imprisoned. 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. Francis tiffanys life of dorothea lynde dix 1891 offers the first and most detailed biography of dix, including a number of letters exchanged with her friends william ellery channing, samuel gridley howe, horace mann, anne heath, mrs. However, her achievements are only mentioned in five of the current fiftythree textbooks covering the history of psychology. The compassionate crusader who revolutionized care for the mentally ill a mighty girl. Dorothea lynde dix project gutenberg selfpublishing. Dorothea dix dorothea dix was the most politically engaged woman of her generation, which was itself a remarkable tapestry of activists.
After the war, dix returned to her work as a social reformer. Social reformer dorothea is a crossword puzzle clue that we have spotted 6. Because her family was quite poor, she often traveled to boston to. Dorothea dix is the story of a woman who held that a wholesome moral environment, with or without physicians, could restore the spiritual stability of the insane. Essay about dorothea dix 1095 words 5 pages known as an american philanthropist and reformer, dorothea dix transformed living conditions in prisons and established institutions for the mentally insane in 20 states, as well as canada dix. Dorothea dix april 4, 1802 june 18, 1887, american. Dorothea dix played an instrumental role in the founding or expansion of more. 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. Additionally, dix helped recruit nurses for the union army during the civil war. For years, society had shunned the mentally ill, locking them up and even treating them like criminals. While she was there she met british social reformers who inspired her. Dorothea dix is the story of a woman who held that a wholesome moral. Dorothea dix correspondence from the historic psychiatry collection, menninger archives, kansas historical society. She went on to publish several other works, including books of religious.
Social reformer dorothea is a crossword puzzle clue. Dorothea dix was an american social reformer who worked for the betterment of the life of the insane. Her efforts on behalf of the mentally ill and prisoners helped create dozens of new. After the war, she continued her role as a social reformer, though she contracted malaria in 1870, which weakened her considerably. 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. 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 was an early 19 th century activist who drastically changed the medical field during her lifetime. Dix, dorothea lynde 18021887, social reformer american. Dorothea lynde dix 18021887 was an author, teacher and reformer. Dorothea lynde dix april 4, 1802 july 17, 1887 was an american advocate on behalf of the.
Her father was poor, a drifter, and probably an alcoholic. Additionally, dix helped recruit nurses for the union army during the. Through her crusade for fair treatment of the mentally insane, dorothea dix exemplifies the ideals of her time to protect the rights of all human beings, no matter their age, race. Dorothea dix was born in hampden, maine on april 4, 1802. We have new and used copies available, in 0 edition starting at. Through her efforts, special hospitals for mentally ill patients were built in more than 15 u. During her early years dorothea shared a small cottage with her parents and two younger brothers. Dorothea dix since it was unthinkable in 1848 for a woman to address congress, dix had samuel gridley howe, a wellknown social reformer, present her speech.
This biography of dorothea dix provides detailed information. Social reformer the new nation biographies witteman, barbara on. She began to write, and her booksfilled with the simple dictums and morals that were. Dorothea dix is a sound scholarly biography of a formidable american woman. Her father, joseph dix, was an alcoholic and circuitriding methodist preacher who required young dorothea to spend her time.
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