Julia Ward Howe

Julia Ward Howe, 1819-1910

Embarking on a journey through the life and legacy of Julia Ward Howe, this anthology offers a rich tableau of literary styles, from vivid biographical sketches to evocative essays, chronicling the manifold influences of her era. The collection weaves a tapestry of themes such as feminism, abolitionism, and literary innovation, set against the vibrant backdrop of 19th-century America. Readers will find themselves drawn to pieces that unearth Howe's myriad contributions, reflecting a balance between reverent homage and critical insight. Helmed by the distinguished perspectives of Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards, Florence Howe Hall, and Maud Howe Elliott, the anthology brings together an illustrious group of authors whose collective expertise illuminates Howe's indelible impact on literature and social reform. United by familial and intellectual bonds, these writers forge connections between Howe's pioneering feminist ideals and the cultural renaissance of post-Civil War America. Their combined voices offer a comprehensive exploration of Howe's enduring influence within and beyond literary circles. "Julia Ward Howe, 1819-1910" invites readers to engage deeply with the intellectual and cultural currents that Howe so profoundly shaped. It is a treasure trove for those eager to appreciate the dialogic dance of perspectives, exploring themes that resonate with those seeking historical, cultural, and literary enlightenment. Through this compilation, readers are afforded a rare glimpse into the synergy of past and present dialogues, making it an indispensable resource for both enthusiasts and scholars alike.

Margaret Fuller (Marchesa Ossoli)

The Hermaphrodite

Written in the 1840s and published here for the first time, Julia Ward Howe's novel about a hermaphrodite is unlike anything of its time-or, in truth, of our own. Narrated by Laurence, who is raised and lives as a man and is loved by men and women alike, yet can respond to neither, this unconventional story explores the realization "that fervent hearts must borrow the disguise of art, if they would win the right to express, in any outward form, the internal fire that consumes them." Laurence describes his repudiation by his family, his involvement with an attractive widow, his subsequent wanderings and eventual attachment to a sixteen-year-old boy, his own tutelage by a Roman nobleman and his sisters, and his ultimate reunion with his early love. His is a story unique in nineteenth-century American letters, at once a remarkable reflection of a largely hidden inner life and a richly imagined tale of coming-of-age at odds with one's culture. Julia Ward Howe (1819-1910) is best remembered as the poet who wrote the words to "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Her literary fame was augmented by her eventual role as an activist for women's rights and her efforts to mobilize women for various peace efforts. Gary Williams is a professor of English at the University of Idaho and the author of Hungry Heart: The Literary Emergence of Julia Ward Howe.