Lydia M. Child

Date of Birth: February 11, 1802

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: October 20, 1880

Biography

Lydia Maria Child (née Francis) was a pioneering American abolitionist, women’s rights activist, Native American rights activist, novelist, and journalist. Born on February 11, 1802, in Medford, Massachusetts, Child was a prominent figure in the 19th-century American reform movements. She was well-known for her writings on abolition and women’s rights and became one of the most influential women of her time. Child began her career as a writer with the publication of her first novel, “Hobomok,” in 1824, which tackled interracial relationships and challenged societal norms. She subsequently published several other novels, children’s books, and domestic advice books. However, it was her work in the abolitionist movement that solidified her legacy. In 1833, she published “An Appeal in Favor of That Class of Americans Called Africans,” one of the first books to argue for the immediate emancipation of slaves in the United States. Child’s activism extended beyond abolition; she was also a strong advocate for women’s rights and Native American rights, writing extensively on these issues. Her work often appeared in well-known publications, and she was an editor for the National Anti-Slavery Standard. Despite facing significant criticism and losing many subscribers due to her controversial views, she remained steadfast in her advocacy for social justice throughout her life. Lydia Maria Child passed away on October 20, 1880, leaving behind a legacy of courage, compassion, and a relentless pursuit of equality for all.

5 Interesting Facts about Lydia M. Child

1. Lydia Maria Child was one of the first women to earn a living through her writing in the United States.

2. She wrote the famous Thanksgiving poem “Over the River and Through the Wood,” originally titled “A Boy’s Thanksgiving Day.”

3. Child was a close friend and collaborator of prominent abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison.

4. She was an early advocate for Native American rights and wrote “An Appeal for the Indians” in 1868.

5. Despite her progressive views, Child faced significant backlash, including the loss of subscribers to her publications due to her abolitionist stance.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Lydia M. Child

1. “The cure for all the ills and wrongs, the cares, the sorrows, and the crimes of humanity, all lie in that one word ‘love’. It is the divine vitality that everywhere produces and restores life.”

2. “I was gravely warned by some of my friends that I must not go too far in my advocacy of human rights.”

3. “Every human being has, like Socrates, an attendant spirit; and wise are they who obey its signals.”

4. “You find yourself refreshed by the presence of cheerful people. Why not make an earnest effort to confer that pleasure on others?”

5. “We first crush people to the earth, and then claim the right of trampling on them forever because they are prostrate.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Lydia Maria Child never achieved significant financial wealth; her highest net worth is not well-documented. She earned a modest living through her writing and activism.