Julia Ward Howe (1819–1910) was a poet and author best known for writing the lyrics to “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” in 1861. Howe first published her writings anonymously in 1853 and continued to advocate for abolition and women’s suffrage. After the Civil War, she focused her activities on women’s rights, establishing the Association of American Women and helping found the New England Women’s Club and the New England Woman Suffrage Association. This letter, written in 1903 from her country home, Oak Glen in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, to a friend. In her letter, Howe offers encouragement and mentions “our club,” referring to one of the many women’s clubs Howe was involved with establishing and leading.
Provenance
Created in 1903 by Julia Ward Howe, Rhode Island, United States; Ownership assumed in 1903 by unknown individual. Acquired by 2010 by Gene Albert (Christian Heritage Museum), Hagerstown, Maryland; Privately purchased in 2010 by Green Collection, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Donated in 2017 to National Christian Foundation (later The Signatry), under the curatorial care of Museum of the Bible, Washington, DC.