Individualist Feminism of the Nineteenth Century

by McElroy, Wendy

• ISBN13: 9780786474004
• ISBN10: 0786474009
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-11-05
• Publisher: McFarland Publishing

Summary

Feminism today has many definitions, but to a large degree, the movement has its roots in nineteenth century individualist feminism, which was based on the theory that all humans should be treated as sovereign individuals, regardless of gender, race, or religion. This once-shocking idea was championed by many individuals and publications now largely forgotten. This unique work covers the history of the individualist feminism movement and of three prominent publications that rose in its defense: The Word, Liberty, and Lucifer the Light Bearer. Although these journals published some of the most important ideas on feminism, anarchism, and personal liberty, they are often overlooked today. Biographies and selections of writing from contributors to these magazines feature the remarkable women and men who laid many of the foundations for modern feminist thought. Included among those profiled are Angela Heywood, who first defended abortion based on woman's self-ownership of her body, and Lillian Harman, who was jailed at the age of 16 for being married without state or church ceremonies. These profiles and writings provide insight into the lives and work of these important, but often neglected early feminists.

Author Biography

Wendy McElroy writes and edits books about electoral practices and feminism. She lives in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. v
Introduction	p. 1
The Word: A Monthly Journal of Reform (1872-1890, 1892-1893)
Agela Fiducia Tilton Heywood: In the Shadow of a Man	p. 19
Women of The Word: A Biographical Dictionary of the Day-to-Day Radicals	p. 48
Lucifer, the Light Bearer (1883-1907)
Moses Harman: The Paradigm of a Male Feminist	p. 89
Edwin Cox Walker and Lillian Harman: A Feminist Couple	p. 125
Liberty: Not the Daughter But the Mother of Order (1881-1908)
Sarah Elizabeth Holmes: The Study of a Silenced Woman	p. 135
Gertrude B. Kelly: A Disillusioned Woman	p. 164
Notes	p. 191
Select Bibliography	p. 199
Index	p. 201
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