Catherine Brewer Benson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Catherine Elizabeth Benson
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|---|---|
| Born |
Catherine Elizabeth Brewer
January 24, 1822 |
| Died | February 27, 1908 (aged 86) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Clinton Female Seminary Georgia Female College First Degree (B.A.) |
| Spouse(s) | Richard Aaron Benson |
| Children | Catherine Benson Melrose Richard Edward Benson Thomas Brewer Benson Eliza Benson Fargo William S. Benson Frank Cook Benson Howard Burke Benson Gertrude Benson Arnall |
| Parent(s) | Thomas Aspinwall Brewer (father) Mary Foster Brewer (mother) |
| Relatives | Adeline Corbin (sister) Edward Ebenezer Brewer (brother) |
Catherine Elizabeth Benson, born Brewer (January 24, 1822 – February 27, 1908), was a very important person in American history. She was one of the first women to earn a college bachelor's degree in the United States. This was a huge step for women's education!
Her Early Life
Catherine was born on January 24, 1822, in Augusta, Georgia. Her parents were Thomas Aspinwall Brewer and Mary Foster Brewer. She had a younger sister named Adeline and a younger brother named Edward. Her family moved from Massachusetts to Lexington, Georgia, in the 1820s. Later, in 1838, they moved again to Macon, Georgia.
Her Amazing Education
Catherine started her college journey at the Clinton Female Seminary near Gray, Georgia. In 1839, something exciting happened: her seminary joined with the Georgia Female College. This college is known today as Wesleyan College. It had just started offering classes that same year.
Catherine made history when she graduated in 1840. She was the first woman to earn a degree from Wesleyan College! Her name was first alphabetically among the graduates, so she received her diploma first on July 16, 1840. Her diploma said she had completed the "regular course" and was given the "First Degree." This "First Degree" was what we now call a bachelor's degree.
Catherine's legacy lives on at Wesleyan College. Every year, during the Alumnae Association meeting, new graduates are welcomed with the "Benson Charge." This charge comes from a speech Catherine gave to the Class of 1888. She told them: "Members of the graduating class, demands will be made upon you which were not made upon us. Your training, if you are true to it, will amply qualify you to meet those demands. No wiser blessing could I wish for you than that you may be true to every God-appointed work." This inspiring message encourages students to be ready for future challenges.
It's important to know that while Catherine is often called the first woman to get a bachelor's degree in the U.S., women at Mississippi College had actually earned similar degrees starting in 1831. Still, Catherine's achievement was a major milestone for women's education in Georgia and beyond.
Family Life
On November 24, 1842, Catherine married Richard Aaron Benson in Macon. They had eight children together:
- Catherine Colvard Benson
- Richard Edward Benson
- Thomas Brewer Benson
- Eliza Sophie Benson
- William Shepherd Benson – He became a very important person! He was an admiral and the first Chief of Naval Operations for the United States. This was a new and very important job created in 1915.
- Frank Cook Benson
- Howard Burke Benson
- Gertrude Benson
Catherine Benson passed away at her home in Macon on February 27, 1908. She was 86 years old. Her life showed how important education is and how women can achieve great things.
