Beecher, Catharine Esther
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Beecher was born in East Hampton, [[New York]], the oldest of thirteen children born to Lyman and Roxanna Foote Beecher. Her father was an outspoken religious leader. Her siblings include her sister [[Harriet Beecher Stowe]], the 19th century [[abolitionist]] and writer most famous for her groundbreaking novel ''[[Uncle Tom's Cabin]]'', and two brothers who were both renowned Congregationalist ministers, [[Henry Ward Beecher]] and [[Charles Beecher]]. | Beecher was born in East Hampton, [[New York]], the oldest of thirteen children born to Lyman and Roxanna Foote Beecher. Her father was an outspoken religious leader. Her siblings include her sister [[Harriet Beecher Stowe]], the 19th century [[abolitionist]] and writer most famous for her groundbreaking novel ''[[Uncle Tom's Cabin]]'', and two brothers who were both renowned Congregationalist ministers, [[Henry Ward Beecher]] and [[Charles Beecher]]. | ||
| − | + | Her father's ministry relocated the family several times to serve congregations in [[Connecticut]] and [[Massachusetts]]. She was educated at home until she was ten years old, when she was sent to a private school where she was taught the limited curriculum available to young women. The experience left her longing for additional opportunities for education, and she taught herself subjects not commonly offered to women. The family settled in [[Litchfield]], [[Connecticut]] in 1810, at this point Beecher began attending [[Sarah Pierce’s academy for young women]]. | |
| + | |||
| + | Beecher's life changed dramatically in 1816 when her mother died of [[tuberculosis]]. Being the oldest daughter she had to assume the motherly responsibilities of the household. She spent her days tending to house, cooking all the meals and caring for her younger siblings. She did find time for herself, she met and became engaged to Alexander Fisher, a [[Yale]] professor. Beecher anxiously looked forward to raising her own [[family]]. However, her dreams were shattered when her fiance died in a shipwreck in 1923. | ||
==Educational Career== | ==Educational Career== | ||
To provide such educational opportunities for others, in 1823 Beecher opened the [[Hartford Female Seminary]], where she taught until 1831. The private girls school in [[Hartford, Connecticut]], had many well-known alumni, including Catharine’s sister Harriet. Later, Catharine was engaged to marry Professor Alexander Fisher of [[Yale University]], but he died before the wedding was to take place. In 1841 Beecher published “A Treatise on Domestic Economy for the Use of Young Ladies at Home and at School” a book which discussed the underestimated importance of women’s roles in society. The book was edited and re-released the following year in its final form. | To provide such educational opportunities for others, in 1823 Beecher opened the [[Hartford Female Seminary]], where she taught until 1831. The private girls school in [[Hartford, Connecticut]], had many well-known alumni, including Catharine’s sister Harriet. Later, Catharine was engaged to marry Professor Alexander Fisher of [[Yale University]], but he died before the wedding was to take place. In 1841 Beecher published “A Treatise on Domestic Economy for the Use of Young Ladies at Home and at School” a book which discussed the underestimated importance of women’s roles in society. The book was edited and re-released the following year in its final form. | ||
| + | ==Legacy== | ||
Beecher founded [[The American Woman’s Educational Association]] in 1852, an organization focused on furthering educational opportunities for women. She also founded the [[Western Female Institute]] in Cincinnati (along with her father Lyman) and [[The Ladies Society for Promoting Education in the West]]. She was also instrumental in the establishment of women’s colleges in [[Burlington, Iowa]], [[Quincy, Illinois]], and [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]]. | Beecher founded [[The American Woman’s Educational Association]] in 1852, an organization focused on furthering educational opportunities for women. She also founded the [[Western Female Institute]] in Cincinnati (along with her father Lyman) and [[The Ladies Society for Promoting Education in the West]]. She was also instrumental in the establishment of women’s colleges in [[Burlington, Iowa]], [[Quincy, Illinois]], and [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]]. | ||
Revision as of 16:26, 11 October 2007
Catharine Esther Beecher (September 6, 1800 – May 12, 1878) was a noted educator, renowned for her forthright opinions on women’s education as well as her vehement support of the many benefits of the incorporation of a kindergarten into children’s education. Beecher strongly supported allowing children to simply, be children and not prematurely forcing adulthood onto them. She believed that children lacked the experience needed to make important life decisions and that, in order for them to become healthy self-sufficient adults, they needed to be allowed to express themselves freely in an environment suited to children. It was these beliefs that led to her support of the system of kindergartens.
Early Life
Beecher was born in East Hampton, New York, the oldest of thirteen children born to Lyman and Roxanna Foote Beecher. Her father was an outspoken religious leader. Her siblings include her sister Harriet Beecher Stowe, the 19th century abolitionist and writer most famous for her groundbreaking novel Uncle Tom's Cabin, and two brothers who were both renowned Congregationalist ministers, Henry Ward Beecher and Charles Beecher.
Her father's ministry relocated the family several times to serve congregations in Connecticut and Massachusetts. She was educated at home until she was ten years old, when she was sent to a private school where she was taught the limited curriculum available to young women. The experience left her longing for additional opportunities for education, and she taught herself subjects not commonly offered to women. The family settled in Litchfield, Connecticut in 1810, at this point Beecher began attending Sarah Pierce’s academy for young women.
Beecher's life changed dramatically in 1816 when her mother died of tuberculosis. Being the oldest daughter she had to assume the motherly responsibilities of the household. She spent her days tending to house, cooking all the meals and caring for her younger siblings. She did find time for herself, she met and became engaged to Alexander Fisher, a Yale professor. Beecher anxiously looked forward to raising her own family. However, her dreams were shattered when her fiance died in a shipwreck in 1923.
Educational Career
To provide such educational opportunities for others, in 1823 Beecher opened the Hartford Female Seminary, where she taught until 1831. The private girls school in Hartford, Connecticut, had many well-known alumni, including Catharine’s sister Harriet. Later, Catharine was engaged to marry Professor Alexander Fisher of Yale University, but he died before the wedding was to take place. In 1841 Beecher published “A Treatise on Domestic Economy for the Use of Young Ladies at Home and at School” a book which discussed the underestimated importance of women’s roles in society. The book was edited and re-released the following year in its final form.
Legacy
Beecher founded The American Woman’s Educational Association in 1852, an organization focused on furthering educational opportunities for women. She also founded the Western Female Institute in Cincinnati (along with her father Lyman) and The Ladies Society for Promoting Education in the West. She was also instrumental in the establishment of women’s colleges in Burlington, Iowa, Quincy, Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Caskey, Marie. Chariot of fire religion and the Beecher family. Yale historical publications : Miscellany, 117. New Haven: Yale University Press 1978. ISBN 9780300020076
- French, Earl A., and Diana Royce. Portraits of a nineteenth century family a symposium on the Beecher family. Hartford: Stowe-Day Foundation 1976. OCLC 2388045
- Rugoff, Milton. The Beechers an American family in the nineteenth century. New York: Harper & Row 1981. ISBN 9780060148591
- Stowe, Lyman Beecher. Saints, sinners and Beechers. Essay index reprint series. Freeport, N.Y.: Books for Libraries Press 1970. ISBN 9780836917208
External links
- Works by Catharine Beecher. Project Gutenberg Retrieved October 11, 2007.
- PBS Schoolhouse Pioneers Retrieved October 11, 2007.
- Neman Library: The American Beecher Family Tradition Retrieved October 11, 2007.
- PBS:The Story of American Public Education Retrieved October 11, 2007.
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