Julia Ward Howe
Poet / Activist
Julia Ward Howe was a poet who co-published the anti-slavery newspaper The Commonwealth with her husband, Samuel Gridley Howe. In 1861 she wrote the words to The Battle Hymn of the Republic, which became the recognized theme song of the Union during the Civil War. After the war Howe continued writing, became active in the woman's suffrage movement and advocated world peace. In 1908 she became the first woman elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.Other abolitionists include John Brown and Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Four Good Links
National Women's Hall of Fame
Short biography of Howe, with links to other famous women
The Battle Hymn of the Republic
The lyrics to her famous composition
Mother's Day Proclamation
Howe's original intent for Mother's Day
Julia Ward Howe
Biographical details from Newport, Rhode Island, where she died
Vital Stats
Birth
Birthplace
Death
17 October 1910
(age 91)
Best Known As
The abolitionist who wrote The Battle Hymn of the Republic
