Judith Sargent Murray Vol. 1 : A Brief Biography with Documents

by Skemp, Sheila L.

• ISBN13: 9780312115067
• ISBN10: 0312115067
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-02-15
• Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's

Summary

Judith Sargent Murray (1751-1820) was at the center of the post-Revolution discussion concerning the proper role of women in the new Republic. Her voice dominated American discussion of women's character and their future in both intimate and public life. Here, Sheila Skemp supports her biographical essay with 15 of Murray's letters, essays, and poems.

Author Biography

Sheila L. Skemp is professor of history at the University of Mississippi, where she received an award for Outstanding teacher in the Liberal Arts. She is the author of William Franklin: Son of a Patriot, Servant of a King (1990) and of Benjamin and William Franklin: Father and Son, Patriot and Loyalist (Bedford Books, 1994). She has also served as co-editor of two volumes dealing with issues of race and gender in the South. Skemp is currently completing a full-length cultural biography of Judith Sargent Murray.

Table of Contents

Foreword	v
Preface	vii
PART ONE Judith Sargent Murray	1	(122)
Introduction: Judith Sargent Murray's World	3	(5)
A Sargent of Gloucester	8	(11)
``The Despotism of Tradition'': Universalism Comes to Gloucester	19	(13)
Earning the ``Laurel Wreath'': The Revolutionary Years	32	(12)
The Fruits of Independence: Women and Property in the Republic	44	(17)
The Bonds of Matrimony	61	(13)
``The Maternal Character''	74	(10)
A ``Most Extensive Education''	84	(11)
A ``Mania'' for Literary Fame	95	(13)
Conclusion: ``God Doth Equally His Gifts Impart''	108	(15)
PART TWO The Documents	123	(80)
The Gleaner on Famous Literary Women, 1798	125	(4)
Preface to Judith Sargent Murray's Catechism, 1782	129	(2)
``Upon Printing My Little Catechism'' (poem), 1782	131	(2)
``Reflecting, during a Fine Morning, upon Existing Circumstances'' (poem)	133	(3)
Letter to Winthrop Sargent, February 25, 1778	136	(2)
``Margaretta Faces an Economic Crisis'' (fiction), 1798	138	(6)
The Gleaner on Women's Attributes as Breadwinners, 1798	144	(6)
``Reasons for Lack of Union in the Wedded State'' (poem)	150	(2)
``Margaretta Faces a Marital Crisis'' (fiction), 1798	152	(8)
``Lines Written While Rocking the Cradle of My Julia Maria'' (poem), December 8, 1791	160	(2)
``Margaretta's Education'' (fiction), 1798	162	(6)
Letter to Winthrop Sargent, September 1803	168	(4)
Letter to Reverend Redding, May 7, 1801	172	(4)
On the Equality of the Sexes, 1790	176	(6)
The Gleaner Contemplates the Future Prospects of Women in this ``Enlightened Age,'' 1798	182	(21)
APPENDICES
A Judith Sargent Murray Chronology (1751--1820)	191	(4)
Selected Bibliography	195	(8)
Index	203