Mary Carpenter Autograph letter signed and Obituary of Education and Jails Reform Activist

Mary Carpenter

Manuscripts & Autographs

Early Advocate for educational and penal reforms. Original Autograph letter signed of Mary Carpenter to Alderman Mansfield of Northampton and original mailing envelope are pasted into the volume, Letter is 1 page, Jan 10, 1877, signed at closing “Mary Carpenter,” regarding the election of a woman to the School Board.along with 2 obituaries of Mary Carpenter, who died June 15, 1877.

The letter states in part, “Thanks for sending us the paper containing the very gratifying announcement of the election of Mrs. Mansfield…It is a grand triumph!” A note at bottom, signed M.P. Mansfield explains the meaning of Carpenter’s letter, “This letter was written on the receipt of a paper containing the account of the election of my wife to the School Board.” Carpenter was one of the foremost public speakers of her time and is best remembered for the huge contribution she made to educational and penal reform. She opened "ragged schools" to give an education to the children of the poor and introduced reformatories which took a caring and constructive stance for young offenders. Mary Carpenter also campaigned for better education for women and reforms to prisons. Following a meeting with Frederick Douglass, Mary Carpenter became fervently opposed of the slave trade, particularly the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. She traveled extensively in America, Europe and India, where she also sought reforms similar to those she pursued in Britain. She was a pioneer in the field of equality for women and stood almost alone as a female orator who was widely listened to and respected.

Item #16342

Price: $450.00