ebook img

The Most Learned Woman in America: A Life of Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson PDF

412 Pages·2003·5.419 MB·English
Save to my drive
Quick download
Download

Download The Most Learned Woman in America: A Life of Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson PDF Free - Full Version

by Anne M. Ousterhout| 2003| 412 pages| 5.419| English

About The Most Learned Woman in America: A Life of Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson

During the era of the American Revolution and long after, the name Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson was well known in Philadelphia, recognized as belonging to one of British North America's most illustrious women of letters. One admirer dubbed her 'the most learned woman in America.' In this, the first full-length biography of Fergusson, Anne M. Ousterhout brilliantly captures the life and times of America's first great female savant. Born in 1737 to a wealthy family, Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson excelled from an early age. Although women in her day were denied higher education, Fergusson read widely, educating herself in literature, history, and languages, even reading classical literature in the original tongues, an unusual ability for a colonial woman. She wrote prolifically--often until midnight or later, spending but a few hours sleeping--and published her poetry. Her journals of a trip to England and Scotland circulated widely among admiring Philadelphians. During the 1770s she hosted a Saturday evening salon at her home that was unrivaled in the colonies for its brilliance. Yet despite her achievements, Fergusson's life was fraught with financial woes, bad romances, and treasonous plots that hounded her throughout her life. After her father forbade her marriage to Benjamin Franklin's illegitimate son, she secretly married Henry Hugh Fergusson, a British Loyalist who left her before the Revolution. Henry's actions, together with Elizabeth's own political indiscretions, earned her potent enemies, leading to the confiscation of her family estate, Graeme Park. Although she eventually succeeded in reclaiming her property, her reputation was tarnished in the process. Her efforts to justify her actions were tireless, alienating friends and making the last fifteen years of her life miserable. The Most Learned Woman in America masterfully narrates Fergusson's efforts to live an appropriately genteel life, even as she struggled against the limits that her society placed on its women. In the process, we can begin to understand the conflicts--internal and external--that women of the Revolutionary generation faced.

Detailed Information

Author:Anne M. Ousterhout
Publication Year:2003
ISBN:9780271023113
Pages:412
Language:English
File Size:5.419
Format:PDF
Price:FREE
Download Free PDF

Safe & Secure Download - No registration required

Why Choose PDFdrive for Your Free The Most Learned Woman in America: A Life of Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson Download?

  • 100% Free: No hidden fees or subscriptions required for one book every day.
  • No Registration: Immediate access is available without creating accounts for one book every day.
  • Safe and Secure: Clean downloads without malware or viruses
  • Multiple Formats: PDF, MOBI, Mpub,... optimized for all devices
  • Educational Resource: Supporting knowledge sharing and learning

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it really free to download The Most Learned Woman in America: A Life of Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson PDF?

Yes, on https://PDFdrive.to you can download The Most Learned Woman in America: A Life of Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson by Anne M. Ousterhout completely free. We don't require any payment, subscription, or registration to access this PDF file. For 3 books every day.

How can I read The Most Learned Woman in America: A Life of Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson on my mobile device?

After downloading The Most Learned Woman in America: A Life of Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson PDF, you can open it with any PDF reader app on your phone or tablet. We recommend using Adobe Acrobat Reader, Apple Books, or Google Play Books for the best reading experience.

Is this the full version of The Most Learned Woman in America: A Life of Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson?

Yes, this is the complete PDF version of The Most Learned Woman in America: A Life of Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson by Anne M. Ousterhout. You will be able to read the entire content as in the printed version without missing any pages.

Is it legal to download The Most Learned Woman in America: A Life of Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson PDF for free?

https://PDFdrive.to provides links to free educational resources available online. We do not store any files on our servers. Please be aware of copyright laws in your country before downloading.

The materials shared are intended for research, educational, and personal use in accordance with fair use principles.