This timeline briefly describes the significant events of Anna E. Dickinson's life. Her genius was shown from an early age, when Dickinson decided to write the "Southern Outrages" letter. Despite that fact that it was not published under Dickinson's full name, the letter showed the educated individual that she was given the extent it talked about the freedoms granted in the Constitution. Slowly, Dickinson became more noticed by her speeches, which prompted the New England Republicans to invite her to be a stump speaker in the 1863 state elections. That decision was not made lightly, given that it was still the 1860s, and it was no doubt a risk to have a woman stump for a candidate while the voting population was entirely made up of men.
Nevertheless, Dickinson was invited and was successful in her speeches in convincing voters to support Republicans. Ultimately her success led to the invitation to address Congress in the 1864 "Perils of the Hour" speech. However, after the end of the Civil War, her career started to decline. Her last significant participation in the political sphere was in the 1888 election, where she stumped for Benjamin Harrison. After that, Dickinson could not reach the success that she once had as a public orator during the Civil War before she died in 1932.
Over time, it has become evident that some women's roles in history, especially before the 20th century, have faded out of public memory. Unfortunately, the work of Anna E. Dickinson has fallen into that category. The 1864 speech in the Hall of Representatives was the high point of Dickinson's career and the highest honor she received in her lifetime. The speech portrayed her aggressive nature and devotion to the Union cause. Despite being one of the less-remembered figures during the Civil War, Dickinson will always have her place in history as a female prodigy of public oratory, and as the first woman to speak in the Hall of Representatives before Congress.
Nevertheless, Dickinson was invited and was successful in her speeches in convincing voters to support Republicans. Ultimately her success led to the invitation to address Congress in the 1864 "Perils of the Hour" speech. However, after the end of the Civil War, her career started to decline. Her last significant participation in the political sphere was in the 1888 election, where she stumped for Benjamin Harrison. After that, Dickinson could not reach the success that she once had as a public orator during the Civil War before she died in 1932.
Over time, it has become evident that some women's roles in history, especially before the 20th century, have faded out of public memory. Unfortunately, the work of Anna E. Dickinson has fallen into that category. The 1864 speech in the Hall of Representatives was the high point of Dickinson's career and the highest honor she received in her lifetime. The speech portrayed her aggressive nature and devotion to the Union cause. Despite being one of the less-remembered figures during the Civil War, Dickinson will always have her place in history as a female prodigy of public oratory, and as the first woman to speak in the Hall of Representatives before Congress.
Timeline Sources:
Anna E.D., “Southern Outrages” The Liberator (Boston, MA), February 22, 1856. [WEB]
J. Matthew Gallman, America’s Joan of Arc, The Life of Anna Elizabeth Dickinson (New York: Oxford University Press, 2006).
Banner Image: Anna E. Dickinson, Courtesy of Omnia
Anna E.D., “Southern Outrages” The Liberator (Boston, MA), February 22, 1856. [WEB]
J. Matthew Gallman, America’s Joan of Arc, The Life of Anna Elizabeth Dickinson (New York: Oxford University Press, 2006).
Banner Image: Anna E. Dickinson, Courtesy of Omnia