Books Inscribed by Authors to Clara Barton
Glimpses of Fifty Years 1839 – 1889, The Autobiography of An American Woman
By Frances Willard
Published by the Women's Temperance Publication Association, Chicago, Illinois.
c 1889
This autobiography carries an inscription on the frontispiece that read, "Clara Barton. The story of one whose pure and active life honored her sex and benefitted the world."
Willard was an early organizer and secretary of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union in 1874. She was elected president of the organization in 1879 and held that position until her death in 1898. Willard was an ardent supporter women’s suffrage, prohibition, and women's education. She had been a teacher, President of Evanston (Illinois) College for Ladies and the first Dean of Women for Northwestern University. She was also chairman of the Clara Barton School for Nurses in Chicago, Illinois. She and Barton were friends, and Miss Barton visited her in Evanston, IL.
The Willard House Museum in Evanston, Illinois is a National Historic Landmark owned by the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union and operated for public visitation by the Frances Willard Historical Association.
Paper, fabric. H 24.0, W 17.0, D 5.1 cm
Clara Barton National Historic Site, CLBA 85
A Synopsis of the Butchery of the Late Sir Washington Irving Bishop
By Eleanor Fletcher Bishop
Published by Selden & Marion
c 1889
Washington Irving Bishop was a mentalist who after suffering a stroke and lapsing into a coma was pronounced dead by two doctors who later performed an autopsy on him. It was the autopsy that actually killed him. On learning of his collapse and the autopsy, his mother spent the next 29 years attempting to bring the doctors to justice. This book is a part of her efforts. The inscription on the book reads: “To my beloved friend Miss Clara Barton with love of the author. Dec. 25, 1890”
Paper, fabric. H 21.5, W 15.5, D 1.2 cm
Clara Barton National Historic Site, CLBA 176
Echoes from Cape Ann
By Maria J. Dodge
Published by Cupples & Hurd Publishing
c 1889
Miss Barton loved to read and often wrote poetry. The book carries this inscription, “Miss Clara Barton. Mrs. M. Abby Rust, Gloucester, Mass. Sept. 26, 1890. A reminder of the drive around Cape Ann.”
Paper, fabric. H 18.7, W 13.3, D 3.5 cm
Clara Barton National Historic Site, CLBA 114
Adjutant Stearns
By William A. Sterns
Published by Sabbath School Society
c 1862
The author published this book in memory of his son, Frazer Augustus Stearns, a Massachusetts soldier died in the Battle of New Bern during the Civil War. Clara Barton was also from Massachusetts. Her great affection for “her boys,” young Massachusetts soldiers, was one of the reasons that compelled her to help on the battlefields.
Paper, fabric. H 18.4, W 12.4, D 1.7 cm
Clara Barton National Historic Site, CLBA 120
Brief Biographies: English Radical Leaders
By R.J. Hinton.
Published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons
c 1875
The author dedicated this book with the inscription,, “To Clara Barton- An American Woman of Whom we are all proud, from her friend the author, Richard J. Hinton, December 17th 1875.” “Over Seas and Here”
Paper, Fabric. H 18.0, W 13.6, D 2.3 cm
Clara Barton National Historic Site, CLBA 116
The Knightly Soldier: A Biography of Henry Ward Camp, Tenth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry
By Chaplain H. Clay
Published by Trumbell, Nichols and Noyes
1865
The subject, Henry Ward Camp Major, U.S. Army, 10th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Infantry was captured on July 19, 1863, near Morris Island, South Carolina. He was confined to the Richland Jail in South Carolina. The book is inscribed, “Miss Clara Barton with regards of E.D.S.”
Paper, fabric. H 18.3, W 12.9, D 3.4 cm
Clara Barton National Historic Site, CLBA 115
Claire: A Romance of American Nursehood
By Edwin Kirkman
Published by Author, Sold by the American Sunday School Union
c 1905
The book carries this inscription, “Miss Clara Barton with best wishes of the author Edwin K. Hart.”
Paper, Fabric. H 18.3, W 13.0, D 2.4 cm
Clara Barton National Historic Site, CLBA 112
A Congregational Manual
By Rev. William Eleazar Barton
Published by The Puritan Press
c 1910
The Rev. Barton, (1861-1930) was one of the early 2oth century's prominent writers and lecturers on Abraham Lincoln. He inscribed the text with, “To my cousin Clara Barton this advance copy of my book is given with the love of the author.”
Paper, Fabric. H 17.0, W 10.8, D 1.3 cm
Clara Barton National Historic Site, CLBA 124
The Queen of the Air
By Henry Attemus
Published by Henry Altemus
c 1899
Author John Rushkin was from London and is best remembered for his essays on art and architecture were extremely influential in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. It is inscribed with “To Clara Barton with more love in my heart then my purse can express.”
Paper, Fabric.
Clara Barton National Historic Site, CLBA 122
