Dorothea Dix Research Paper
Dorothea Dix
Nov. 12th 2013
Life Chart
Name of Biographee: Dorothea H. Dix
Date of Birth: April 4, 1802
Date of Death: July 17, 1887
Place of Birth: Hampden, Maine
Location where this individual spent her early life: Worcester/Boston, Massachusets
Education: Tutored, homeschooled, self taught
Spouse: N/A
Children: N/A
Significant Relatives: N/A
Careers: Education, Author, Activist, War Nurse
Most Significant Careers: Education, Activist
Years of most significant effect on the history of the US: 1841-1870
Age of biographee when he had his most important effect on American history: 39-58
Significant life experiences: N/A
Personality
Dorothea Dix was a determined woman with her own strict moral code. She said, “I think …show more content…
even lying on my bed I can still do something.” [1]She went out of her way to help those who could not help themselves including poor children and the mentally ill. She was constantly fueled by her desire to make a change in other people’s welfare, possibly because her own welfare as a child had not been favorable.
Importance in History Dorothea Dix accomplished many things and was the champion of many people.
Even though she was a large player in education, it was definitely her social reform ideas regarding the treatment of the mentally unstable that made her famous. At the first sight of the poor treatment of those who were mentally ill, she immediately went to the courts to fight for their rights. She moved around the United States observing the housing of those with mental illnesses and fought for them. “ Dix also lobbied at the federal level, and in 1848 she asked Congress to grant more than 12 million acres of land as a public endowment to be used for the benefit of the mentally ill as well as the blind and deaf.” [2] Although this bill was passed, it was vetoed by President Franklin Pierce. After this letdown, she went to Europe and tried her hand at reforming their systems as well. She also was a large force in the war hospitals in the Civil war, being named the superintendent of nurses.
Outside …show more content…
Opinions Dix seemed to be appreciated by many, Robert M. Goldenson commenting, “the most effective advocate of humanitarian reform in American mental institutions during the nineteenth century.”[3] Her personality seemed disputable though, soldiers calling her and “angel of mercy,” but some nurses thought her to be rigid and pompous.[4]
Personal Opinions Dorothea Dix is one of the greatest social reformers of all time.
She dared to challenge the entire system of justice. While she may have been thought of as stiff, the fact that she fought for so many people for nearly her entire life greatly makes up for any small personality quirks she may have had. She seems to be lacking the recognition she deserves, she should be more well-known for her efforts than she is today.
Bibliography
Dorothea Dix. http://www2.webster.edu/~woolflm/dorotheadix.html#neglected (Accessed Nov. 12, 2013) This site provided outside quotes about Dorothea Dix.
Dorothea Dix. http://www25.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/dorotheadix.html (Accessed Nov. 12, 2013) This site provided information about her other careers besides her reform crusades.
Dorothea Dix Biography. http://www.biography.com/people/dorothea-dix-9275710?page=1 (Accessed Nov. 12, 2013) This site provided general information about her life.
Dorothea Dix Quotes. http://www.successories.com/iquote/author/43961/dorothea-dix-quotes/1 (Accessed Nov. 12, 2013) This site provide quotes by Dix.
[1] Dorothea Dix, http://www.successories.com/iquote/author/43961/dorothea-dix-quotes/1(Nov. 12,
2013)
[2] Dorothea Dix Biography http://www.biography.com/people/dorothea-dix-9275710 (Nov. 12, 2013)
[3] Dorothea Dix http://www2.webster.edu/~woolflm/dorotheadix.html (Nov. 12, 2013)
[4] Dorothea Dix http://www25.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/dorotheadix.html (Nov. 12, 2013)
Nov. 12th 2013
Life Chart
Name of Biographee: Dorothea H. Dix
Date of Birth: April 4, 1802
Date of Death: July 17, 1887
Place of Birth: Hampden, Maine
Location where this individual spent her early life: Worcester/Boston, Massachusets
Education: Tutored, homeschooled, self taught
Spouse: N/A
Children: N/A
Significant Relatives: N/A
Careers: Education, Author, Activist, War Nurse
Most Significant Careers: Education, Activist
Years of most significant effect on the history of the US: 1841-1870
Age of biographee when he had his most important effect on American history: 39-58
Significant life experiences: N/A
Personality
Dorothea Dix was a determined woman with her own strict moral code. She said, “I think …show more content…
even lying on my bed I can still do something.” [1]She went out of her way to help those who could not help themselves including poor children and the mentally ill. She was constantly fueled by her desire to make a change in other people’s welfare, possibly because her own welfare as a child had not been favorable.
Importance in History Dorothea Dix accomplished many things and was the champion of many people.
Even though she was a large player in education, it was definitely her social reform ideas regarding the treatment of the mentally unstable that made her famous. At the first sight of the poor treatment of those who were mentally ill, she immediately went to the courts to fight for their rights. She moved around the United States observing the housing of those with mental illnesses and fought for them. “ Dix also lobbied at the federal level, and in 1848 she asked Congress to grant more than 12 million acres of land as a public endowment to be used for the benefit of the mentally ill as well as the blind and deaf.” [2] Although this bill was passed, it was vetoed by President Franklin Pierce. After this letdown, she went to Europe and tried her hand at reforming their systems as well. She also was a large force in the war hospitals in the Civil war, being named the superintendent of nurses.
Outside …show more content…
Opinions Dix seemed to be appreciated by many, Robert M. Goldenson commenting, “the most effective advocate of humanitarian reform in American mental institutions during the nineteenth century.”[3] Her personality seemed disputable though, soldiers calling her and “angel of mercy,” but some nurses thought her to be rigid and pompous.[4]
Personal Opinions Dorothea Dix is one of the greatest social reformers of all time.
She dared to challenge the entire system of justice. While she may have been thought of as stiff, the fact that she fought for so many people for nearly her entire life greatly makes up for any small personality quirks she may have had. She seems to be lacking the recognition she deserves, she should be more well-known for her efforts than she is today.
Bibliography
Dorothea Dix. http://www2.webster.edu/~woolflm/dorotheadix.html#neglected (Accessed Nov. 12, 2013) This site provided outside quotes about Dorothea Dix.
Dorothea Dix. http://www25.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/dorotheadix.html (Accessed Nov. 12, 2013) This site provided information about her other careers besides her reform crusades.
Dorothea Dix Biography. http://www.biography.com/people/dorothea-dix-9275710?page=1 (Accessed Nov. 12, 2013) This site provided general information about her life.
Dorothea Dix Quotes. http://www.successories.com/iquote/author/43961/dorothea-dix-quotes/1 (Accessed Nov. 12, 2013) This site provide quotes by Dix.
[1] Dorothea Dix, http://www.successories.com/iquote/author/43961/dorothea-dix-quotes/1(Nov. 12,
2013)
[2] Dorothea Dix Biography http://www.biography.com/people/dorothea-dix-9275710 (Nov. 12, 2013)
[3] Dorothea Dix http://www2.webster.edu/~woolflm/dorotheadix.html (Nov. 12, 2013)
[4] Dorothea Dix http://www25.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/dorotheadix.html (Nov. 12, 2013)