Born On: May 27, 1819
Born In: New York City
Died On: October 17, 1910
Career: Reformer, Clubwoman, Writer, Poet
Nationality: American
The legendary author of ‘The Battle Hymn of the Republic’, Julia Ward Howe was a woman of great substance. A multi-faceted personality, she is known as writer, poet, playwright, essayist, travel writer, reformist, feminist and club woman. She donned the cap of a loving mother, an affectionate wife and a powerful spokeswoman with perfection. Apart from being revered as a great mother, she is also recognized as a woman who fought in the male chauvinist society, for the dignity and upliftment of women, from the confinement of tradition & conventions.
Childhood and Family
Julia Ward was born into a strict Episcopalian Calvinist family on May 27, 1819, in New York City. The fourth child of Samuel Ward and Julia Rush Cutler, she had six siblings. Five years after her birth, Julia’s mother died. She was, then, raised by her aunt. Her father, a well-off banker, also died a few years later, following which, her guardianship became the responsibility of a more liberal-minded uncle. Julia, much like her uncle, grew to be open-minded and had broad perspective about everything in life. She viewed religious and social issues with unbiased opinions and had a liberal approach and outlook.
Marriage and Children
At 21 years of age, Julia married the reformer and ‘hero’ of the Greek revolution - Samuel Gridley Howe. It was her liberal mind, innovative ideas, sharp wit and her active commitment that impressed him. The couple had six children, out of which only five survived. Problems crept early in the marriage, as Julia realized that Howe gave more importance to his work and friends than her. His biased opinion - that women should stay at home after marriage - also became increasingly stifling for the liberal and free Julia.
Though Julia considered divorce as an option many a times, it was her admiration for her husband and the threat of being away from her children that stopped her from taking such a step. It was then, that Julia decided to dedicate her time in self-education as well as the education of her children. Her career as a writer started thence. Regardless of Samuel’s resistance, Julia got more and more involved in writing and public life. With two of her sons by her side, Julia left for Rome, leaving Samuel in Boston.
Social Activism
Julia Ward Howe rose to fame with ‘The Battle Hymn of the Republic’, one of the most popular songs during the American Civil War. The song was based on William Steffe's music and was first published in the Atlantic Monthly, in 1862. Along with her Mother's Day Proclamation in 1870, Howe was the first to fight for an official celebration of Mother's Day in US. A Unitarian by belief, Julia published a lot of poetry, articles, plays and travel books. She became an active member in the women's rights movement and fought for the suffering and anguish that a woman undergoes all her life. She focused all her activities on the causes of pacifism and women's suffrage.
Death
It was on October 17, 1910 that the great lady left the world for the heavenly abode. Struck by pneumonia, Julia died at the age of 91, in her home ‘Oak Glen’, in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. She was buried in the Mount Auburn Cemetery, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Awards & Honors
A lady with great virtues, Julia Ward Howe was the first woman to be elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Six decades after her death, Julia’s name was inscripted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. She also featured on a 14-cent US stamp, issued in 1987. Apart from these, Julia also has a school named after her - ‘Julia Ward Howe School of Excellence’ - in Chicago.
