Elizabeth Cady Stanton letters, 1881-1883 and undated

Creator: Stanton, Elizabeth Cady and Dudley, William Russel, 1849-1911 Abstract: Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815 November 12-1902 October 26) was an American suffragist, social activist, abolitionist, and leading figure of the early women's rights movement. Collection contains four signed letters written by Elizabeth Cady Stanton to various correspondents. Extent: 0.1 Linear Feet (4 items) Language: Materials are in English. Collection ID: RL.11047

Background

Scope and content:

Collection contains four signed letters written by Elizabeth Cady Stanton to various correspondents. The first, dated [1880s] May 9 from New York, was written in response to a letter by a Miss Ives regarding a misunderstanding between them over articles or interviews written for The World and The Recorder; includes a transcription. In the second, dated 1881 April 26 from Tenafly, N.J., Stanton wrote to William Russel Dudley regarding his position, as well as her son Theodore's amicably-ended engagement to Miss White, daughter of Cornell University President Andrew Dickson White, and his plans to marry another. In the third letter, dated 1883 Dec. 10 from Geneva, N.Y., Stanton wrote to Courtland Palmer, declining an invitation address the first meeting of the Century Club, and regretting that she was not apprised in time to change her travel plans, as she had just returned from Europe; item is mounted.

In the fourth letter, Stanton wrote to Edgar F. Gladwin on July 28 [no year provided] from Tenafly, N.J., answering his question, if she thinks "that the cause of woman suffrage would be greatly advanced if the generalty [sic] of women gave their active approval." She answers "Most assuredly" and goes on to mention how the lives of Turkish and Mormon women would change if they repudiated the social practices of their societies. Stanton then goes on to state that the reason women in the United States do not wholeheartedly support suffrage is because of theology: "They accept what is taught them by holy men at the altar. Believing. woman an afterthought in the creation; the author of sin; cursed in her maternity, marriage for her a condition of slavery, she's prepared for any form of degradation. Hence until the majority are emancipated from the old theologies they will never demand political freedom. My present endeavor is to turn my guns on the church."

Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815 November 12-1902 October 26) was an American suffragist, social activist, abolitionist, and leading figure of the early women's rights movement. Her Declaration of Sentiments, presented at the Seneca Falls Convention held in 1848 in Seneca Falls, New York, is often credited with initiating the first organized women's rights and women's suffrage movements in the United States. Stanton was president of the National Woman Suffrage Association from 1892 until 1900.

Acquisition information: The Elizabeth Cady Stanton letters were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in April 2015 and 2017. Processing information:

Processed by: Alice Poffinberger, May, 2015.

Accessions described in this finding aid: 2015-0050-LUBMSS464; LUBMSS465; LUBMSS466.

2017 Addition processed by Alice Poffinberger, September, 2021

Rules or conventions: Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Subjects

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