Harriet Martineau (1802-1876)

Harriet Martineau was an English social theorist and writer who is regarded by many as the first female sociologist. She wrote several books including her own autobiography, which was a rare accomplishment for a woman during the time. As well as her own writings, she translated works by Auguste Comte, the French philosopher. Martineau was an aetheist and an abolitionist. She counted Florence Nightingale and Charles Lyell among her many friends and acquaintances. She suffered with poor health throughout her life including heart disease for more than 20 years. 

"Ill as I am, I can still do something for the cause which

is nearly as important to the rest of the world as to the

United States…"

In this four-page letter written from her home in Ambleside in January 1857, Harriet Martineau writes at length about works written by the architect Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) whom she greatly admires and wishes to promote widely. She also refers to correspondence with Harriet Beecher Stowe. She discusses a desire to republish a popular volume of work she has written, now out of print, and suggests Sampson Low publish it for her. She mentions her poor health and her niece Maria (the daughter of her brother Robert) who cared for her in later life.   

View Harriet Martineau's letter [opens in a new window]

Image Rights: Spencer Arnold Collection / Stringer / Getty Images