Eliza Sproat Turner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eliza Sproat Turner
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| Born |
Eliza L. Sproat
1826 |
| Died | June 20, 1903 (aged 76–77) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Poet, women's club leader, suffragette |
| Spouse(s) |
Nathaniel Randolph
(m. 1855; died 1858)Joseph C. Turner
(m. 1864; died 1902) |
Eliza L. Sproat Turner (1826 – June 20, 1903) was an important American writer and leader. She helped start many women's clubs and worked hard for social causes. Eliza began her adult life as a teacher and writer. Soon after, she became involved in many social movements.
She was part of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society. This group worked to end slavery. She also led the Women's Congress. For the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, she helped publish the New Century for Women newspaper. The next year, she helped create the New Century Club. In 1882, she was key in starting the New Century Guild of Working Women. Her poems and ideas about women's rights were printed in newspapers and magazines.
Eliza's Life Story
Eliza L. Sproat Turner was born in 1826 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her father was a writer and farmer. He passed away when Eliza was a young girl. Her mother, Maria Lutwyche, came to the United States around 1818. She was from Birmingham, England. Eliza grew up as a Quaker with her brother. She went to public schools in Philadelphia.
In 1855, Eliza married Nathaniel Randolph. He was a rich lumber merchant. Their marriage was happy but short. Nathaniel died unexpectedly. Eliza gave birth to their son, Nathaniel Archer, on November 7, 1858. Eliza lived with her son, her mother, and two good friends. All the women believed in women's rights and equal pay.
During the American Civil War, Eliza met Joseph C. Turner. They both volunteered to help wounded soldiers. This was after the Battle of Gettysburg. Eliza helped by providing nursing care. In 1864, Eliza and Joseph Turner got married. They had a country home in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. They also had a house in Philadelphia. Joseph Turner stopped being a lawyer. He became a retailer and dairy farmer.
Eliza's son became a doctor. He passed away in 1887. Joseph Turner died in October 1902. Eliza Sproat Turner died on June 20, 1903. This was eight months after her husband's death. She passed away at her home in Chadds Ford.
As an Educator
Eliza Turner taught for several years. She taught in Philadelphia public schools. From 1850 to 1853, she taught at Girard College. One of her students, Daniel Kane O'Donnell, later became a poet. He remembered her very fondly.
As a Writer
While working as a teacher, Eliza wrote many poems and stories. These were published in popular magazines. Some of these included National Era and Sartain's Magazine. In 1847, her poem "The Enchanted Lute" was published. In the 1840s and 1850s, her writings appeared in collections of women's works. Her own poetry collection, Out-of-Door Rhymes, came out in 1872. She also wrote a poem called An Angel's Visit for her friend Margaret Burleigh.
Her writing began to show her interest in women's rights. She also wrote about the right for women to vote. The Rooster-Pecked Wife was a funny story. It made fun of how married women lived. In 1875, she wrote Four Quite New Reasons Why You Should Want Your Wife to Vote. This showed her deep involvement in the voting rights movement. She also wrote articles for magazines like the Boston Woman's Journal. These articles were about important issues for women.
As an Activist
Eliza Turner joined the Philadelphia Union of Associationists in 1847. In the 1850s, she joined the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society. This group worked to end slavery. In 1869, she helped create the Pennsylvania Woman Suffrage Association. This group worked for women's right to vote. She was its first corresponding secretary.
At the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Eliza was a leader. She led the Women's Congress. She also wrote and edited a newspaper called New Century for Women. She handed out this newspaper at the Women's Pavilion. The New Century Club was founded in Philadelphia in 1877. This happened after Eliza gave a powerful speech at the Women's Congress. Eliza was the club's president from 1879 to 1881. It was a group for literature, social events, and community work.
The club offered evening classes for working girls and women. This idea was so successful that it led to the creation of the New Century Guild of Working Women in 1882. This Guild offered classes in job skills, philosophy, and history. It also had a clubhouse with a dining room and library. The women's club continued its work. In 1892, Drexel Institute took over the classes.
Eliza also brought poor children from the city to her country home. They would stay for a week in the summer. In 1875, she started a formal program for this. It was called the Children's Country Week Association of Philadelphia. She also helped start Philadelphia's consumer's league. And she was a director for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
