Dorothy Canfield Fisher

Date of Birth: February 17, 1879

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: November 9, 1958

Biography

Dorothy Canfield Fisher was an influential American author, educational reformer, and social activist. Born as Dorothea Frances Canfield on February 17, 1879, in Lawrence, Kansas, she grew up in a family that valued education and intellectual pursuits. Her father, James Hulme Canfield, was a college professor and university president, which exposed her to academic environments from a young age. Dorothy Canfield Fisher earned her undergraduate degree from Ohio State University and later pursued graduate studies in Romance languages at the Sorbonne in Paris and Columbia University in New York. She married John Redwood Fisher in 1907 and they had two children. The family settled in Arlington, Vermont, where Dorothy would spend much of her life and draw inspiration for her writing. Over her career, she authored numerous novels, short stories, and essays, many of which focused on themes of family, community, and social justice. Her most famous work, “Understood Betsy,” remains a beloved children’s classic. In addition to her writing, Fisher was a staunch advocate for education reform and was instrumental in introducing the Montessori method of education to the United States. She was also deeply involved in social issues, including women’s rights and racial equality, and served on the board of various organizations dedicated to these causes. Dorothy Canfield Fisher passed away on November 9, 1958, leaving behind a legacy of literary excellence and social advocacy.

5 Interesting Facts about Dorothy Canfield Fisher

1. Dorothy Canfield Fisher was fluent in five languages: English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish.

2. She was a member of the Committee on Public Information during World War I, which helped to promote American war efforts.

3. Fisher was an early advocate for the Montessori method of education and helped establish Montessori schools in the U.S.

4. She was named one of the twelve most influential women in America by Eleanor Roosevelt.

5. Dorothy Canfield Fisher was posthumously inducted into the Vermont Women’s Hall of Fame in 1994.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Dorothy Canfield Fisher

1. “A mother is not a person to lean on, but a person to make leaning unnecessary.”

2. “Freedom is not worth having if it does not connote freedom to err.”

3. “People are always talking about the joys of youth – but oh, how youth can suffer!”

4. “The two best things you can give your children are roots and wings.”

5. “Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Dorothy Canfield Fisher’s highest net worth was not extensively documented, but her literary success and social contributions were her most significant legacies.