Dorothea Dix

Dorthea Dix

Apr 4, 1802

Dorothea Lynde Dix was born in the town of Hampden, Maine. She was the oldest sibling out of her three brothers. Her mother Mary Bigelow Dix was diagnosed with problems and her father taught her how to read and write which helped her on the future in helping others and teaching.

Moving to Vermont

Jun 18, 1812

Dorothea Dix family moved to Vermont. Her family moved to Vermont because the town of Hampden was attacked by the British in the war on 1812. Then her family moved to Boston where her wealthy grandmother lived.

School for girls

Jan 1, 1822

Dorothea Dix opened a school for girls. She provided quality education to wealthy girls with good families. Dorothea Dix also offered free lessons to the poor girls from the community.

The Asylum Movement

Dec 8, 1841

Dorothea Dix began to teach a school class on Sundays in East Cambridge, she didn’t know what she was facing. When she arrived she was horrified, she saw many people in cages. These people were mentally ill and they were not support or health care.

Civil War Nurse

Dec 8, 1861

Dorothea Dix participated to help and be an army nurse for civil war service. She was nicknamed “Dragon Dix” and she agreed the offer without any pay. She did many tasks like organize first aid stations, she also tend the union soldiers and confederates.

Death of Dorothea Dix

Jul 17, 1887

Dorothea Dix died in the year of 1887. She had a terrible illness. In the honor of Dorothea Dix the hospital of Carolina was named after her, it’s called the “Dorothea Dix hospital. “When she passed away, she was buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts.