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Judith Sargent Murray (1751-1820) is considered America's first public champion of women's equality, female education,
and economic independence. A largely self-educated writer of considerable skill, her literary career included essays,
poetry and plays on these and other subjects.
Writing under assumed names so her ideas would be considered and not dismissed, Judith Sargent Murray's work appeared
in the "popular prints" in Massachusetts. Her plays were performed in Boston's Federal Street Theatre,
making Judith the first American to be so honored. She published her landmark book, "The Gleaner," in
1798, selling advance subscriptions to such leading citizens as George Washington, John Adams, Henry Knox, and
Mercy Otis Warren. "The Gleaner" secured her place among early American writers and advocates for women's
rights.
Like her father, Winthrop Sargent, Judith Sargent Murray from a very young age embraced the Universalist interpretion
of scripture espoused by England's James Relly. One of Relly's colleagues, John Murray, journeyed to Gloucester,
Massachusetts (Judith's home) in 1774, and Judith's commitment to the Universalist cause deepened. In 1780, the
first Universalist meeting house in America was built and dedicated in Gloucester, and John Murray became known
as the "Father of American Universalism." In 1788, Judith and John Murray were married (after the death
of her first husband, John Stevens). Throughout her life, Judith Sargent Murray's faith played a central, defining
role in her character and her work.
Judith Sargent Murray gave birth to a daughter, Julia Maria, in 1791, and when the Murray family moved to Boston
in 1794, Judith added a succession of more young people to her household. Along with Julia Maria, Murray oversaw
the education of ten nieces, nephews, and children of close family friends. She was a devoted mother and aunt,
putting her advocacy for high quality education into rigorous practice.
Throughout her remarkable life, Judith Sargent Murray was an avid letter writer. A student of history, she also
knew the value of leaving behind written records. And so, at the age of 21, she began to keep letter books into
which she made copies of her outgoing correspondence. Written to family, friends, and political figures, these
almost 2,000 letters are a new eye witness account of a pivotal time in American history. What's more, they are
the only letter books we know of left behind by a woman.
The above from http://www.hurdsmith.com/judith/introduction.htm
click for a longer essay by Bonnie Hurd Smith
"I am Jealous for the Honor of Our Sex"
Introducing Judith Sargent Murray
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