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Part of the American
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Emma Willard 1787 ~ 1870
Emma Willard
Emma Willard, born in Berlin,
Connecticut, in February, 1787, was one of the women whose names
received votes for a place in the Hall of Fame. Her biographer,
Dr. John Lord, in summarizing her claim for immortality in the
hearts of her fellow-citizens, declares that her glory is in
giving prominence to the cause of woman's education. In this
cause she rendered price-less service. When we remember the
institution she founded and conducted; the six thousand young
women whom she educated, many of them gratuitously; when it is
borne in mind the numerous books she wrote to be used in schools
and the great favor with which these books have generally been
received; when we think of the zealous energy in various ways
which she put forth for more than half a century to elevate the
standard of education of her sex, it would be difficult to find
a woman who, in her age or country, was more useful or will
longer be remembered as both good and great. Not for original
genius, not for immortal work of art, not for a character free
from blemishes and blots, does she claim an exalted place among
women, but as a benefactor of her country and of her sex. In
this influence she shed luster around the home, and gave dignity
to the human soul.
Emma Willard was deeply religious, and never lost sight of the
highest and noblest influence in her educational work. Beautiful
hymns which she composed were sung by her pupils in the "Troy
Female Seminary," of which, for many years, she was the head.
An interesting occasion in her life occurred in connection with
a visit of General La Fayette to this country in 1825. His
services in the cause of American Independence, in upholding the
constitutional liberty in France and his mingled gallantry and
sentiment early gave him prominence and fame, and made him an
idol of the American people.
All this feeling Mrs. Willard had nobly imbued in the verses
with which she celebrated this distinguished visitor's coming to
her school in Troy. The young women of her school sang this poem
before General La Fayette, who was affected to tears by this
reception, and at the close of the singing said: "I cannot
express what I feel on this occasion, but will you, madame,
present me with three copies of those lines to be given by me as
from you to my three daughters?"
Emma Willard was a woman of loftiest patriotism, and her
"National Hymn" deserves at least equal appreciation with Doctor
Smith's "Columbia," Her prose displays uncommonly strong mental
powers and endowments. She published a large book or treatise on
the motive powers which produce a circulation of the blood,
which gained her great praise both at home and abroad. In 1849
she published "Last Leaves From American History," giving a
graphic account of the Mexican War, and later appeared her
"History of California" and a small volume of poetry.
In Emma Willard's case the promise of the Psalmist, "That the
righteous shall bear fruit in old age," was splendidly realized.
To the close of her long and useful life she maintained her
youthful vivacity, her enthusiasm of spirit and her power of
work. Every Sunday evening she gathered around her hospitable
board her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as
well as her friends, and heard them repeat passages of
Scripture. This was a habit of many years. Beautiful were those
family reunions, but the most beautiful thing among them was the
figure of the benignant old lady. Entering into every subject of
interest with the sympathy of youth, she received from all the
profoundest reverence and respect.
She died April 15, 1870, at the age of eighty-three. A
distinguished educator said of her at the time of her death, "In
the fullness of age she approached the termination of life with
the calmness, Christian philosophy and faith of a true
believer." The place of her death was the old seminary built at
Troy where, half a century before, she had founded an
institution which was an honor to the country, and where she
taught the true philosophy of living and dying, works done in
faith made practical in works.
Women of
America
Source: The Part Taken by Women in
American History, By Mrs. John A. Logan, Published by The Perry-Nalle
Publishing Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1912.
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