Life in Prairie Land
New York: Harper and Brothers, 1847. Hardcover. 12mo., 408 pp. Author's first book. Scarce title. This is a description of manners and customs based on the author's life in Central Illinois in the 1830's and 40's. Farnham [1815 1864] was an American novelist, feminist, abolitionist, and activist for prison reform. In 1843 she wrote a series of articles for Brother Jonathan refuting John Neal's call for women's suffrage in that same newspaper, though Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony wrote in 1887 that 'Mrs. Farnham lived long enough to retrace her ground and accept the highest truth.' In 1844, through the influence of Horace Greeley and other reformers, she was appointed matron of the women's ward at Sing Sing Prison. She strongly believed in the use of phrenology to treat prisoners. Farnham was influential in changing the types of reading materials available to women prisoners. The purpose of her choices was not entertainment but improving behavior. She also advocated using music and kindness in the rehabilitation of female prisoners. n 1849 she travelled to California with her two sons, having inherited property there and remained there until 1856, when she returned to New York. Good in brown pebble cloth with scattered foxing and toning to pages. Item #1119202518
Price: $175.00