Sara A. Underwood
American suffragist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sara A. Underwood (21 July 1838 – 16 March 1911)[1] was a prominent English-born American freethought lecturer and writer, and an active part of the movement for women's suffrage.[2]
Sara A. Underwood | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | Sara A. Francis 21 July 1838 |
| Died | 16 March 1911 (aged 72) |
| Other name | Sara A. Francis Underwood |
| Occupations | Writer, lecturer, editor |
| Organization | National Woman Suffrage Association of Massachusetts |
| Notable work | Heroines of Freethought (1876) |
| Movement | Freethought, suffrage |
| Spouse | Benjamin Franklin Underwood |
Life
Sara A. Underwood was born Sara A. Francis in Penrith, Cumbria, moving with her family to Rhode Island while still a young child.[2] She married Benjamin Franklin Underwood on 6 September 1862, the partnership described as 'a union of kindred minds as well as hearts'.[2]
Both Underwoods became well-known figures in freethinking circles and on the lecture circuit over the course of following decades.[1] Towards the end of the 1880s, the couple moved to Chicago to serve as editor and manager (Benjamin) and associate editor (Sara)[3] of the journal The Open Court.[1] The Open Court was 'devoted to the work of establishing ethics and religion upon a scientific basis.'[3]
Work
As a lecturer, Sara A. Underwood became widely known 'for espousing liberal religious thought' for over three decades.[4] Between 1880 and 1886 she was a co-editor of the Boston Index, the organ of the Free Religious Association.[4] She was the editor of the Psychical Science Congress' journal, the Philosophic Journal 1893–95, and chair of the Congress of Evolutionists,[4] part of the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.[5]
Underwood spoke and wrote in the cause of equal rights for women,[2] and was treasurer of the National Woman Suffrage Association of Massachusetts.[6][7]
Death
Sara A. Underwood died in a sanatorium in Jacksonville, Illinois, in the early hours of 16 March 1911.[2]
