Mary Ritter Beard

Date of Birth: August 5, 1876

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: August 14, 1958

Biography

Mary Ritter Beard was an influential American historian, archivist, and women’s suffrage activist, born on August 5, 1876, in Indianapolis, Indiana. She is best known for her work in women’s history and her role in establishing women’s archives. Beard studied at DePauw University, where she met her future husband, Charles A. Beard, a fellow historian. Together, they co-authored several significant works, including “The Rise of American Civilization.” Mary Beard was particularly passionate about highlighting the contributions of women throughout history, a focus that was often neglected by her contemporaries. In 1935, she founded the World Center for Women’s Archives (WCWA), aiming to preserve the history and achievements of women. Although the WCWA ultimately closed due to financial difficulties, her efforts were instrumental in inspiring the establishment of women’s archives at other institutions. Mary Ritter Beard’s contributions to the field of history and her advocacy for women’s rights have left a lasting legacy. She passed away on August 14, 1958, in Phoenix, Arizona.

5 Interesting Facts about Mary Ritter Beard

1. Mary Ritter Beard co-authored several books with her husband, Charles A. Beard, including the influential “The Rise of American Civilization.”

2. She was a strong advocate for women’s suffrage and played an active role in the women’s suffrage movement in the early 20th century.

3. Beard founded the World Center for Women’s Archives in 1935 to preserve the records and history of women’s contributions.

4. She was a critic of the traditional male-dominated historical narrative and sought to highlight the roles and achievements of women.

5. Mary Ritter Beard’s efforts contributed to the establishment of women’s archives at institutions like Radcliffe College and Smith College.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Mary Ritter Beard

1. “The dogma of woman’s complete historical subjection to men must be rated as one of the most fantastic myths ever created by the human mind.”

2. “The making of history is largely an effort of the imagination.”

3. “It is one of the happy accidents of the feminist movement that it brought into its service a number of women who needed the movement as much as the movement needed them.”

4. “Women’s history is the primary tool for women’s emancipation.”

5. “The world cannot be understood without understanding the place of women in it.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Mary Ritter Beard’s net worth is not well-documented, as her era and career focus were not typically associated with significant financial gain.

Children

Mary Ritter Beard and Charles A. Beard had two children: William Beard and Miriam Beard. Miriam Beard followed in her parents’ footsteps and became a writer and historian.