A Remarkable American Woman

Lydia Maria Child was one of the most remarkable American women of the 19th century. An author and reformer, she wrote extensively on social and cultural issues, was active in the antislavery movement, and supported women’s rights. Her literary output was enormous and included novels, children’s books, historical-philosophical works, humanitarian tracts, and thousands of letters. She is best remembered as a major publicist for the cause of immediate black emancipation. In 1833 she published An Appeal in Favor of That Class of Americans Called Africans, which ranks among the most persuasive and influential of abolitionist writings. For two years (1841-43) she served as editor of the National Anti-Slavery Standard, the organ of...