Author to Speak Sept. 14 About Pioneering Woman Educator, Catharine Beecher

Author Lee Wilson will be the featured "Second Sunday" speaker at the Franklin Historical Museum on Sept. 14, discussing his recent book, 'Women's Crusader.'

Billed
as ‘The incredible untold story of how a lighthearted romantic
became a pioneer advocate for women’s education,” R. Lee Wilson’s
recent book, Women’s Crusader, tells the story of Catharine
Beecher and of her big impact on 19th
century America. She was the sister of Harriet Beecher Stowe, whose book, `Uncle
Tom’s Cabin’ was a bestseller and blamed by some for sparking the
Civil War.

Catharine at first seemed more destined for a life of
domesticity than of public leadership. But a chance interaction led
her into a romance with Franklin-born Alexander Metcalf Fisher, a
brilliant Yale professor. However, after they became engaged, Fisher
died in a tragic shipwreck that changed the focus of Catharine’s
life.

After living for a time in Franklin, with Fisher’s family,
she emerged with a clear view of her life’s work, fighting misogyny
and creating opportunities for women to get the education they needed
and deserved. The story even includes a role for Franklin Horace
Mann! 

The program starts at 1:15. The museum is open from 1-4 and
admission is free.

More about the book and Catharine can be found here.