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Secondary sourceBook1893

Woman of the Century: Clara Barton

1893

A biographical sketch of Barton published in 1893, during her lifetime, at the height of her Red Cross fame.

This 1893 sketch presents Barton's life story to the public while she was still alive and leading the Red Cross.

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About this source

What it is

This is an entry on Clara Barton from Woman of the Century, a book of biographical sketches of notable American women published in 1893. It describes her early life, teaching career, and work at the Patent Office.

Why it matters

Written while Barton was still alive and active in the Red Cross, the sketch shows how her contemporaries saw and celebrated her achievements. It reveals what stories about her were considered important enough to record for a wide public audience at the time.

Look closer

  • What details does the writer choose to highlight about Barton's early career?
  • How might a book praising notable women in 1893 have shaped public memory of Barton?
  • What might this kind of biography leave out about her life?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Clara Barton on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Black-and-white studio portrait of an older woman with dark hair pinned up in curls, wearing a dark dress with an ornate white lace collar and a dark brooch at the neck. She faces left with a slight closed-mouth smile. Copyright stamp reads 1904, J. E. Purdy, Boston.Photograph

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