In 1916, Harriet A. Townsend published a book containing "reminiscences" -- personal biographical sketches - short biographies of several of the most well-known women of the time.
Most were active in social reform, including the struggle for woman suffrage; many had been, in an earlier time, abolitionists.
I've divided the book into its separate chapters for ease of reading and printing:
In the tradition of biographies written to inspire others to lives of service, this book opens with a poem that functions as a foreward:
"Love is best," the poet sings.
"Love is best," the prophet cries,
Of all the joy that Heaven brings
"Love is best."If love is best and valued dear,
Fain would we find its secret springs-
Oh! tell us prophet, bard or seer,
Where's Love's nest?All who serve and self forego,
All who give nor ask return,
Need not seek-well they know
"Love is best."H.A.T.
Begin with Julia Ward Howe
Introduction Julia Ward Howe Susan B. Anthony
Frances E. Willard Maria Mitchell Abby Morton Diaz
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