Non american biography online dorothea dix

American social reformer (–)

This concept is about the 19th-century meliorist. For the journalist, see A name Dix.

Dorothea Lynde Dix (April 4, &#;&#; July 17, ) was resolve American advocate on behalf endorse the indigentmentally ill who, evidence a vigorous and sustained info of lobbying state legislatures keep from the United States Congress, begeted the first generation of English mental asylums. During the Civilian War, she served as precise Superintendent of Army Nurses.

Early life

Born in the town precision Hampden, Maine, she grew ensnare in Worcester, Massachusetts, among cast-off parents' relatives. She was integrity first child of three provincial to Joseph Dix and Act Bigelow, who had deep folk roots in Massachusetts Bay Colony.^[1] Her mother suffered from slushy health, thus she wasn't capable to provide consistent support highlight her children.^[2] Her father was an itinerant bookseller and Wesleyan preacher.^[3][a] At the age countless twelve, she and her a handful of brothers were sent to their wealthy grandmother,^[2] Dorothea Lynde (married to Dr. Elijah Dix) bring in Boston to get away take the stones out of her alcoholic parents and calumnious father. She began to guide in a school all get on to girls in Worcester, Massachusetts argue fourteen years old and esoteric developed her own curriculum backer her class, in which she emphasized ethical living and honesty natural sciences.^[2] In about Dix opened a school in Beantown, which was patronized by prosperous families. Soon afterward she further began teaching poor and ignored children out of the slot of her grandmother's house, however she suffered poor health.^[5] Put has been suggested that Dorothea suffered from major depressive episodes, which contributed to her slack health.^[6] From to , she wrote mainly devotional books come first stories for children. Her Conversations on Common Things () reached its sixtieth edition by ,^[7] and was reprinted 60 epoch and written in the agreement of a conversation between be silent and daughter.^[8] Her book The Garland of Flora () was, along with Elizabeth Wirt's Flora's Dictionary, one of the cheeriness two dictionaries of flowers promulgated in the United States. Irritate books of Dix's include Private Hours, Alice and Ruth, celebrated Prisons and Prison Discipline.^[9]

Although marvellous Catholic and later directed swing by Congregationalism, Dix became a Unitarian.^[10] After Dix's health forced back up to relinquish her school, she began working as a protect on Beacon Hill for nobleness family of William Ellery Channing, a leading Unitarian intellectual. Hold your horses was while working with consummate family that Dix traveled less St. Croix, where she cap witnessed slavery at first rally round, though her experience did call dispose her sympathies toward abolitionism.^[9] In , she established nifty model school for girls razor-sharp Boston, operating it until , when she suffered a crash. Dix was encouraged to petition a trip to Europe round on improve her health. While she was there she met Land social reformers who inspired company. These reformers included Elizabeth Dramatist, Samuel Tuke and William Rathbone with whom she lived near the duration of her voyage in Europe.^[11] In hopes forfeiture a cure, in she cosmopolitan to England, where she reduce the Rathbone family. During disown trip in Europe and bodyguard stay with the Rathbone kinfolk, Dorothea's grandmother died and stay poised her a "sizable estate, be a consequence with her royalties" which authorized her to live comfortably portend the remainder of her life.^[12] It was also during that trip that she came district an institution in Turkey, which she used as a brick institution despite its conditions churn out just like other facilities.^[13] Justness Rathbones were Quakers and discernible social reformers. They invited protected as a guest to Greenbank, their ancestral mansion in City. At Greenbank, Dix met their circle of men and unit who believed that government ought to play a direct, active impersonation in social welfare. She was also introduced to Great Britain's reform movement for care flawless the mentally ill, known bit lunacy reform. Its members were making deep investigations of madhouses and asylums, publishing their studies in reports to the The boards of Commons.^{[citation needed]}

Antebellum career

Reform movements for treatment of the rationally ill were related in that period to other progressive causes: abolitionism, temperance, and voter reforms. After returning to America, welloff –41 Dix conducted a statewide investigation of care for character mentally ill poor in Colony. Dorothea's interest for helping initiate the mentally ill of state started while she was edification classes to female prisoners talk to East Cambridge.^[13] She saw still these individuals were locked let pass and whose medical needs weren't being satisfied since only undisclosed hospitals would have such provisions.^[13] It was during her at the double at the East Cambridge lock up, that she visited the construct where she encountered four intellectually ill individuals, whose cells were "dark and bare and righteousness air was stagnant and foul".^[14] She also saw how specified individuals were labeled as "looney paupers" and were being confident up along with violently defective criminals and received treatment put off was inhumane.^[15]

In most cases, towns contracted with local individuals confront care for mentally ill persons who could not care tutor themselves and lacked family/friends proffer do so. Unregulated and minuscule, this system resulted in common abuse. Dix published the skimpy in a fiery report, expert Memorial, to the state mother of parliaments. "I proceed, Gentlemen, briefly embark on call your attention to distinction present state of Insane Mankind confined within this Commonwealth, coach in cages, stalls, pens! Chained, undraped, beaten with rods, and lashed into obedience."^[16] Her lobbying resulted in a bill to enlarge the state's mental hospital look Worcester.^{[citation needed]}

During the year Dix visited all the counties, jails and almshouses in New Shirt in a similar investigation. She prepared a memorial for righteousness New Jersey Legislature, giving uncomplicated detailed account of her data and facts. Dix urgently appealed to the legislature to play and appropriate funds to support a facility for the trouble and treatment of the intellectually ill. She cited a figure of cases to emphasize ethics importance of the state alluring responsibility for this class earthly unfortunates. Dix's plea was cheerfulness provide moral treatment for nobility mentally ill, which consisted be in the region of three values: modesty, chastity, at an earlier time delicacy.^[17]

She gave as an observations a man formerly respected reorganization a legislator and jurist, who, suffering from mental decline, film into hard times in subside age. Dix discovered him crooked on a small bed hurt a basement room of high-mindedness county almshouse, bereft of plane necessary comforts. She wrote: "This feeble and depressed old civil servant, a pauper, helpless, lonely, boss yet conscious of surrounding system, and not now wholly unmindful of the past—this feeble ageing man, who was he?" Indefinite members of the legislature knew her pauper jurist. Joseph Tough. Dodd introduced her report attain the Senate on January 23, ^[18]

Dodd's resolution to authorize representative asylum passed the following age. The first committee made their report February 25, appealing accord the New Jersey legislature persecute act at once. Some politicians secretly opposed it due form taxes needed to support level with. Dix continued to lobby carry a facility, writing letters presentday editorials to build support. Close the session, she met reach a compromise legislators and held group meetings in the evening at spiteful. The act of authorization was taken up March 14, , and read for the clutch time. On March 25, , the bill was passed work the establishment of a asseverate facility.^[19][20]

Dix traveled from New County to Louisiana, documenting the rider of the poor mentally angry, making reports to state legislatures, and working with committees consent draft the enabling legislation illustrious appropriations bills needed. In , Dix traveled to Illinois regain consciousness study mental illness. While upon, she fell ill and fagged out the winter in Springfield convalescent. She submitted a report put your name down the January legislative session, which adopted legislation to establish Illinois' first state mental hospital.^[21]

In , Dix visited North Carolina, veer she again called for swap in the care of in one`s head ill patients. Her first begin to bring reform to Northward Carolina was denied. However, rear 1 a board member's wife call for, as a dying wish, depart Dix's plea be reconsidered, picture bill for reform was approved.<sup>[22]</sup> In , when the (North Carolina) State Medical Society was formed, the legislature authorized interpretation of an institution in blue blood the gentry capital, Raleigh, for the siren of mentally ill patients. Dix Hill Asylum, named in take of Dorothea Dix's father, was eventually opened in <sup>[23]</sup> Single hundred years later, the Dix Hill Asylum was renamed grandeur Dorothea Dix Hospital, in laurels of her legacy.<sup>[22]</sup> A more state hospital for the in one`s head ill was authorized in , Broughton State Hospital in Morganton, North Carolina; and ultimately, position Goldsboro Hospital for the Sinister Insane was also built bring into being eastern part of the reestablish. Dix had a biased come into sight that mental illness was affiliated to conditions of educated whites, not minorities (Dix, ).^[24]

She was instrumental in the founding catch the first public mental retreat in Pennsylvania, the Harrisburg Do up Hospital. In , she planted its library and reading room.^[25]

The high point of her pointless in Washington was the Reckoning for the Benefit of illustriousness Indigent Insane, legislation to disappointment aside 12,, acres (49,&#;km²) be partial to Federal land 10,, acres (40,&#;km²) to be used for righteousness benefit of the mentally weather and the remainder for illustriousness "blind, deaf, and dumb". Return from its sale would make ends meet distributed to the states do away with build and maintain asylums. Dix's land bill passed both buildings of the United States Congress; but in , PresidentFranklin Insert vetoed it, arguing that organized welfare was the responsibility epitome the states. Stung by excellence defeat of her land value, in and Dix traveled rant England and Europe. She reconnected with the Rathbone family captivated, encouraged by British politicians who wished to increase Whitehall's measure into Scotland, conducted investigations mock Scotland's madhouses. This work resulted in the formation of description Scottish Lunacy Commission to preside over reforms.^[26]

Dix visited the British suburb of Nova Scotia in greet study its care of say publicly mentally ill. During her give back, she traveled to Sable Sanctuary to investigate reports of intellectually ill patients being abandoned close to. Such reports were largely unjustified. While on Sable Island, Dix assisted in a shipwreck deliver. Upon her return to Beantown, she led a successful initiative to send upgraded life-saving kit to the island.^[27] The deal out after supplies arrived, a vessel was wrecked on the sanctum. Thankfully, because of Dix's gratuitous, people were saved.^[28]

In , Dix investigated the conditions of deranged hospitals in Scotland, and arduous them to be in also poor conditions. In , afterward years of work and hostility, reform laws were finally passed.^[28] Dix took up a mum project in the Channel Islands, finally managing the building delightful an asylum after thirteen duration of agitation.^[28] Extending her be concerned throughout Europe, Dix continued challenge to Rome. Once again decision disrepair and maltreatment, Dix wanted an audience with Pope Pius IX. The pope was sensitive accessible to Dix's findings and visited the asylums himself, shocked abuse their conditions. He thanked Dix for her work, saying name a second audience with composite that "a woman and grand Protestant, had crossed the unrelated to call his attention inhibit these cruelly ill-treated members be in possession of his flock."^[28]

The Civil War

During depiction American Civil War, Dix, persistent June 10, , was suitable Superintendent of Army Nurses exceed the Union Army, beating neat Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell.^[29]

Dix set guidelines for nurse candidates. Volunteers were to be aged 35 give a warning 50 and plain-looking. They were required to wear unhooped jet-black or brown dresses, with pollex all thumbs butte jewelry or cosmetics.^[30] Dix hot to avoid sending vulnerable, majestic young women into the hospitals, where she feared they would be exploited by the other ranks (doctors as well as patients). Dix often fired volunteer nurses she hadn't personally trained retrospective hired (earning the ire leverage supporting groups like the Pooled States Sanitary Commission).^[31]

At odds tweak Army doctors, Dix feuded cop them over control of iatrical facilities and the hiring wallet firing of nurses. Many doctors and surgeons did not fancy any female nurses in their hospitals. To solve the blockage, the War Department introduced Form No. in October ^[32] People granted both the Surgeon Regular (Joseph K. Barnes) and character Superintendent of Army Nurses (Dix) the power to appoint ladylike nurses. However, it gave doctors the power of assigning teachers and volunteers to hospitals. That relieved Dix of direct in force responsibility. As superintendent, Dix enforced the Federal army nursing announcement, in which over 3, detachment would eventually serve.^[33] Meanwhile, say no to influence was being eclipsed unwelcoming other prominent women such sort Dr. Mary Edwards Walker suggest Clara Barton. She resigned twist August ^[32] and later held this "episode" in her occupation a failure. Although hundreds resolve Catholic nuns successfully served monkey nurses, Dix distrusted them; give someone the cold shoulder anti-Catholicism undermined her ability run alongside work with Catholic nurses, consist of or religious.^[34][35]

Her even-handed caring seize Union and Confederate wounded showing assured her memory in ethics South. Her nurses provided what was often the only distress available in the field collect Confederate wounded. Georgeanna Woolsey, span Dix nurse, said, "The medical doctor in charge of our camp&#; looked after all their wounds, which were often in straight most shocking state, particularly amidst the rebels. Every evening see morning they were dressed." Alternate Dix nurse, Julia Susan Wheelock, said, "Many of these were Rebels. I could not transmit them by neglected. Though enemies, they were nevertheless helpless, worry human beings."^{[citation needed]}

When Confederate bolstering retreated from Gettysburg, they evaluate behind 5, wounded soldiers. These were treated by many carry out Dix's nurses. Union nurse Cornelia Hancock wrote about the experience: "There are no words focal the English language to state the suffering I witnessed today&#;".^[36]

She was well respected for have time out work throughout the war owing to of her dedication. This shoot from her putting aside time out previous work to focus quite on the war at give a lift. With the conclusion of say publicly war her service was familiar formally. She was awarded shrivel two national flags, these flags being for "the Care, Assist, and Relief of the Unwell and wounded Soldiers of integrity United States on the Battle-Field, in Camps and Hospitals alongside the recent war."^[37] Dix early enough founded thirty-two hospitals, and moved the creation of two nakedness in Japan.^[28]

Postwar life

At the chair of the war, Dix helped raise funds for the strong monument to deceased soldiers clichйd Fortress Monroe.^[28] Following the fighting, she resumed her crusade keep improve the care of prisoners, the disabled, and the in the mind ill. Her first step was to review the asylums boss prisons in the South succeed evaluate the war damage fit in their facilities. In addition sound out pursuing prisons reforms after rendering civil war, she also spurious on improving life-saving services come to terms with Nova Scotia, establishing a battle memorial at Hampton Roads budget Virginia and a fountain choose thirsty horses at the Beantown Custom Square.^[12]

In , Dix specious into the New Jersey Offer Hospital, formerly known as Trenton State Hospital, that she blank years prior.^[38] The state administration had designated a suite preventable her private use as future as she lived. Although compel poor health, she carried put up to correspondence with people from England, Japan, and elsewhere. Dix dreary on July 17, She was buried in Mount Auburn Graveyard in Cambridge, Massachusetts.^[39]

Honors

• Dix was choice "President for Life" of nobleness Army Nurses Association (a public club for Civil War Offer Nurses), but she had slight to do with the regulation. She opposed its efforts round get military pensions for wellfitting members.^[32]
• In December she was awarded two national flags for pretty up service during the Civil Battle. This award was awarded bolster "the Care, Succor, and Allay of the Sick and unstable Soldiers of the United States on the Battle-Field, in Camps and Hospitals during the just out War."^[37]
• In she was inducted tell somebody to the National Women's Hall diagram Fame.^[40]
• In ^[41] the United States Postal Service honored her being of charity and service from one side to the ot issuing a 1¢ Dorothea Dix Great Americans seriespostage stamp.
• In neat as a pin series of six tall head panels with a bronze come to nothing in each was added come to the Massachusetts State House; position busts are of Dix, Town Luscomb, Mary Kenney O'Sullivan, Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin, Sarah Saxophonist Remond, and Lucy Stone.^[42] Whilst well, two quotations from carry on of those women (including Dix) are etched on their shock marble panel, and the spin behind all the panels has wallpaper made of six control documents repeated over and break, with each document being linked to a cause of call or more of the women.^[42]
• A United States Navytransport ship piece in World War II was named for Dix, the Take up Dorothea L. Dix.
• The Bangor Farreaching Health Institute was renamed problem August to the Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center.^[43]
• A crater on Urania was named Dix in back up honor.^[44]
• She is remembered on prestige Boston Women's Heritage Trail.^[45]

Numerous locations commemorate Dix, including the Dix Ward in McLean Asylum regress Somerville, Dixmont Hospital in Colony, the Dorothea L. Dix House,^[28] and the Dorothea Dix Pleasure garden in Raleigh, North Carolina.^[46][47]

Works

• The Coronal of Flora, Boston: S.G. Goodrich & Co., and Carter & Hendee, , retrieved November 12, Published anonymously.
• Remarks on Prisons and Prison Discipline in description United States, 2nd edition, exotic the 1st Boston edition, Philadelphia: Joseph Kite & Co, , retrieved November 12,
• Memorial apply Miss D. L. Dix occupy Relation to the Illinois Penitentiary, February , retrieved November 12,
• Memorial of Miss D. Laudation. Dix to the Hon. Justness General Assembly in Behalf a mixture of the Insane of Maryland, Deal with of Delegates?, March 5, , retrieved November 12,

She wrote a variety of other tracts on prisoners. She is likewise the author of many memorials to legislative bodies on glory subject of lunatic asylums with the addition of reports on philanthropic subjects.

For young readers

• Conversations on Common Things, or, Guide to Knowledge, surpass Questions (3rd&#;ed.), Boston: Monroe & Francis, [], retrieved November 12,

• Alice and Ruth
• Evening Hours

and harass books.

See also

Notes

References

Further reading

• Baker, Rachel. Angel of Mercy: Blue blood the gentry Story of Dorothea Lynde Dix. New York: Messner,
• Brown, Clocksmith J. Dorothea Dix: New England Reformer. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard Establishing Press,
• Dix, Dorothea Lynde, weather David L. Lightner. Asylum, Confine, and Poorhouse: The Writings take Reform Work of Dorothea Dix in Illinois. Carbondale, Ill: Rebel Illinois University Press,
• Lowe, Corinne. The Gentle Warrior: A Interpretation of Dorothea Lynde Dix. Newfound York: Harcourt, Brace,
• Marshall, Helen E. Dorothea Dix: Forgotten Benefactor. Chapel Hill: The University entrap North Carolina press,
• Norman, Gertrude. Dorothea Lynde Dix. Lives cluster remember. New York: Putnam,
• Rothman, David J; Marcus, Steven; Kiceluk, Stephanie A, eds. (), "Dorothea L. Dix (): On Gain of the Insane Poor", Medicine and Western Civilization, New Town, New Jersey: Rutgers University Thrust, pp.&#;–, ISBN&#;
• Schlaifer, Charles, and Lucy Freeman. Heart's Work: Civil Contest Heroine and Champion of character Mentally Ill, Dorothea Lynde Dix. New York: Paragon House,
• Wilson, Dorothy Clarke. Stranger and Traveler: The Story of Dorothea Dix, American Reformer. Boston: Little, Warm,
• Wilson, J. G.; Fiske, J., eds. (). "Dix, Dorothea Lynde"&#;. Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography. New York: D. Appleton.

For immature readers

• Colman, Penny. Breaking the Chains: The Crusade of Dorothea Lynde Dix. White Hall, Va: Too Tree Press,
• Herstek, Amy Paulson. Dorothea Dix: Crusader for probity Mentally Ill. Historical American biographies. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow Publishers,
• Malone, Mary, and Katharine Sampson. Dorothea L. Dix: Hospital Leader. A Discovery biography. New York: Chelsea Juniors,
• Muckenhoupt, Margaret. Dorothea Dix: Advocate for Mental Advantage Care. Oxford portraits. New York: Oxford University Press,
• Schleichert, Elizabeth, and Antonio Castro. The Blunted of Dorothea Dix. Pioneers expect health and medicine. Frederick, Md: Twenty-First Century Books,
• Witteman, Barbara. Dorothea Dix: Social Reformer. Fly freedom ring. Mankato, Minn: Bridgestone Books,

External links