Dorothea Lynde Dix papers, 1862-1880s and undated.
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Summary
- Creator:
- Dix, Dorothea Lynde, 1802-1887
- Abstract:
- Dorothea Dix was an American author, teacher, and reformer who advocated for improving treatment and facilities for mental health care. She also served as a superintendent for women nurses during the American Civil War. This collection consists of assorted pieces of correspondence and poetry by Dix, many relating to her health, treatment of patients, and other personal topics. Includes a 1862 letter signed by Abraham Lincoln relaying her recommendations to Edwin Stanton.
- Extent:
- 0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)
- Language:
- Materials in English
- Collection ID:
- RL.10408
Background
- Scope and content:
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This collection consists of assembled and acquired examples of correspondence and poetry written by Dorothea Dix. Some materials date from the 1860s. In one note, dated May 1862, Dix lists recommendations for promotions in the US Army hospital administration. This bears an autograph note, signed by Abraham Lincoln, forwarding the list for consideration to Secretary of War Stanton.
Other letters date from the 1870s and 1880s and relate friends of Dix or to Dix's own care and health, particularly regarding her residency at a State Hospital in Trenton, near Philadelphia. Dix occasionally references her work for mentally ill patients.
The collection also contains two poems; one signed D.L.D. and another attributed to Dix.
- Biographical / historical:
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Dorothea Lynde Dix (1802-1887) was an American author, teacher, and reformer who advocated for improving treatment and facilities for mental health care. She also served as a superintendent for nurses during the American Civil War.
Dix was originally from Hampden, Maine and attended school in Boston, Mass. She became interested in mental healthcare while living abroad in Europe, and returned to the United States to tour American facilities. She publicly advocated for the cause, lobbying healthcare officers and politicians, and raising funds through state allocations and private contributions to improve hospitals and medical treatment of mental health patients throughout the country. Her work led to the establishment of state asylums in North Carolina, New Jersey, and Illinois.
During the American Civil War, Dix was designated as Superintendent of Army Nurses for the Union Army. She sought formal training and opportunities for women in nursing, and over the course of the war appointed over 3000 nurses. She later fundraised for a national monument for deceased soldiers, now standing at Fort Monroe, Virginia.
Dix had recurring health problems throughout her life, and spent later years as a resident of the New Jersey State Hospital in Trenton.
Source: Norwood, Arlisha R. "Dorothea Dix," National Women's History Museum website, accessed 2022 Nov. 10: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/dorothea-dix
- Acquisition information:
- Some materials acquired through a purchase from Schuman's book dealer, date unknown. One item (letter to Mrs. Page) acquired through a donation from Carolyn J. Porter in 1935. Accession 2022-0155 acquired through a purchase from William Reese Company.
- Processing information:
-
Processed by: Rubenstein Staff
Finding aid derived from MARC record using DukeMARC2EAD-HOMproject.xsl, December 2014
Part of the Trent Manuscripts Collection.
The Dorothea Dix Papers and the Dorothea Dix Papers (Trent) were merged into a single collection and recataloged by Meghan Lyon in November 2022.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Subjects
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Contents
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Collection is open for research.
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- Preferred citation:
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Preferred citation: [Identification of item], Dorothea Lynde Dix papers, 1862-1880s and undated, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Duke University.
- Permalink:
- https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1t963