Dorothea Lynde Dix

Dorthea Lynde Dix
Born	April 12, 1802(1802-04-12) Hampton, Maine
Died	July 17, 1887(1887-07-17) Morris Plains, New Jersey
Nationality	American
Known for	Advocate for the mentally ill

All important crises in historical movements are associated with the lives and conduct of marked individuals; persons who have advanced some original or discriminating conception as to duty or public policy, and who, through enthusiasm, strength of purpose and the force of personality, have initiated and conducted to a successful issue a notable departure in government, moral and religious convictions, social habits, or institutional methods.

the history of insanity, in conformity with this universal law, has its conspicuous pioneers, its epoch-making masters, its heros and heroines. In this connection many American specialists are entitled to more or less prominence. But from the standpoint of personal labors to promote practical reforms in public provision for the insane, the work of Dorothea L. Dix stands pre-eminent.

Her surroundings in childhood were humble and she had a hard struggle to obtain an education, followed by a toilsome period spent in school-teaching. But in spite of these difficulties in her early life and of the semi-invalidism which, later on, hampered her physical activity, she achieved a national and even international reputation as a practical philanthropist, her remarkable personal influence over public officials and governmental policies contributing greatly to her success. In the 40 years of her public work she was instrumental in founding or enlarging more than 30 state institutions for the proper custody and right treatment of the insane, becoming an acknowledged power in this respect not only throughout the United States, but in European countries as well. It is impossible to estimate how many men and women, suffering from mental disease, she extricated or preserved for public jails and private pens, or how many others enjoyed release or exemption from galling chains and other cruel devices for restraint as a result of her humanitarian efforts.

Dorothea Lynde Dix was born April 12, 1802, at Hampton, ME., where her parents were temporarily located. Her father, Joseph Dix, was descended from good Puritan stock, which for generations had maintained its stamina in New England. He himself, however, seems to have been lacking in mental balance and unable to maintain his wife and three children suitably. Having no established business occupation he repeatedly changed his residence. His legal domicile was Worcester, Mass., but for short periods he endeavored to make a living in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. In religious matters his zeal outran his discretion, and at times his spiritual fervor led him to compose, publish and distribute fanatical tracts. In her childish days the little Dorothea was often called upon to paste and stitch these unprofitable leaflets. The mother evidently lacked force of character sufficient to counterbalance her husband's weak judgement, or even to command the respect of her eldest child.

Under such family circumstances, deprived of the care and attention, the material comforts and the agreeable associations requisite to satisfy normal childish longings, the bright, sensitive, proud-spirited Dorothea suffered grievously. In after years she once made the pathetic avowal, "I never knew childhood."

When she was 12 years of age, her native good sense and awakening ambition asserted themselves. She refused to contribute further aid to her father's tract-making schemes and repaired to her grandmother's house in Boston, where she was sure of a welcome and had the advantages of a superior home, good schools, association with cultured people and a loving intimacy with her grandmother, a dignified and circumspect, but kind and judicious women, so commonly found among Puritan families in New England. Her grandfather, a physician and chemist, was a well-known man, long remembered for his strong character and unique personality. He was industrious, thrifty, fertile in resource and scrupulously honest. Endowed with clear, far-sighted judgement, unusual energy and conspicuous courage, he often originated new and startling propositions in business, both public and private. In fact, his confidence in his own wisdom and conscientious intentions made him at times somewhat aggressive in matters of public interest. Dorothea seems to have inherited many of his prominent traits. Unfortunately his death, when she was seven years of age, deprived her of his affection and counsel in her struggle for a position of independence and influence.