Woman in the Nineteenth Century

Margaret Fuller (1810–1850) was an American journalist, editor, and advocate for women’s rights who is considered one of the foremost intellectuals of her time. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Fuller was a precocious child who received a rigorous education uncommon for women in the 19th century. Her early exposure to classical literature, philosophy, and languages laid the foundation for her intellectual development. Fuller became closely associated with the Transcendentalist movement, joining figures such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau in advancing ideas about self-reliance, spiritual development, and the potential for societal reform.

As the first woman allowed access to Harvard’s library, Fuller’s pursuit of knowledge was relentless, and she soon became a leading literary critic and editor of The Dial, a key Transcendentalist publication. Her most enduring contribution to feminist thought is Woman in the Nineteenth Century (1845), which built on her earlier essay “The Great Lawsuit.” In this work, Fuller made a case for the intellectual and spiritual emancipation of women, arguing that gender inequality was a barrier to the full realization of human potential. She challenged the societal expectations placed on women, calling for their education, independence, and equal rights.