Elizabeth Stuart Phelps

Date of Birth: August 31, 1844

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: January 28, 1911

Biography

Elizabeth Stuart Phelps was an influential American author and reformer born on August 31, 1844, in Andover, Massachusetts. Known for her insightful novels, short stories, and essays, she was a significant literary voice in the 19th century, advocating for social change and women’s rights. Phelps was the daughter of the famed theologian Austin Phelps and Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, a notable writer herself. She published her first story at the age of 13 and went on to write over 57 volumes of diverse literary works, including her best-known book “The Gates Ajar,” which provided a comforting view of the afterlife and sold over 100,000 copies in its first year. Phelps was a pioneer in addressing issues such as women’s suffrage, animal rights, and labor reform in her writings. She also broke societal norms by advocating for the mental and physical health of women, and she was an early supporter of dress reform for women, promoting more practical and comfortable clothing. Elizabeth Stuart Phelps passed away on January 28, 1911, but her legacy endures through her contributions to literature and social causes.

5 Interesting Facts about Elizabeth Stuart Phelps

1. Elizabeth Stuart Phelps was one of the first women to advocate for comfortable and practical clothing, famously rejecting corsets.

2. Her book “The Gates Ajar” was one of the first to offer a comforting view of the afterlife, which resonated deeply with readers during the Civil War era.

3. She was an outspoken advocate for women’s rights and suffrage, using her writings to promote social change.

4. Phelps was also a passionate advocate for animal rights and wrote extensively against animal cruelty.

5. She married Herbert Dickinson Ward, a younger journalist and author, when she was 44 years old.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Elizabeth Stuart Phelps

1. “It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters.”

2. “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

3. “The power of a woman lies in her willingness to find her own path.”

4. “The gates of heaven are not so highly arched as princes’ palaces; they that enter there must go upon their knees.”

5. “It is not the path which is the difficulty; it is the difficulty which is the path.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Elizabeth Stuart Phelps’ highest net worth is not well-documented, as authors in her era typically did not accumulate significant wealth compared to today’s standards. However, her works were quite popular, and “The Gates Ajar” alone sold over 100,000 copies in its first year, indicating a significant level of commercial success.