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when Dorothea was born
Dorothea Dix was born on April 4, 1802. Dorothea was born in Hampden, Maine. Her father was named Joseph Dix and her mother was named Mary Bigelow. -
Early Life
Dorothea had 2 younger brothers, so she was the oldest. Her mother suffered from depression so it was hard to take care of her family. Her father became an alcoholic and became really strict and sometimes an abusive father because of the alcohol. -
Education
Dorothea never went to school. Her father taught her and her two younger brothers how to read and write at an early age. She loved to read and study. -
Moves to boston
At age 12, Dorothea went to Boston to live with her grandmother. Her grandmother was rich and wanted her to behave like a “lady,” but Dorothea was not interested. Eventually she learned how to “behave.” -
Schools
At age 14, Dorothea Dix began teaching young girls a rigorous curriculum. Her cousin, Edward Bangs, helped her start the school in Worcester. Dorothea moved back to Boston and opened a private school belonging to her grandmother -
Edward Bangs
Dorothea had so many people admiring her. She was briefly engaged with her second cousin, Edward Bangs. She never said yes to the marriage. -
Diagnoesd
Dorothea was diagnosed with tuberculosis. She spent much of the year trying to become well at a house in Portsmouth, Rhode Island owned by William Ellery Channing. While regaining her health, she wrote many books for young students. -
Mental Illness
Dorothea discovered the appalling treatment of prisoners, particularly those with mental illnesses. Their living quarters had no heat and they often had no clothes. She immediately went to court and secured an order to provide heat and clothing for the prisoners, along with other improvements -
Civil war
Dorothea volunteered to do services as a nurse during the Civil War. Her work included setting up field hospitals, first-aid stations, recruiting nurses, managing supplies and setting up training programs. Dorothea was efficient and focused at her work, but many found her rigid -
Death
Dorothea Dix died on July 17, 1887 at the age of 85. At the time, she was living in New Jersey State Hospital, a hospital built because of her work. She is buried in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
