Lillian Estelle Fisher facts for kids

Lillian Estelle Fisher (born May 1, 1891 – died May 4, 1988) was a very important American historian. She was one of the first women in the United States to earn a special advanced degree, called a doctorate, in Latin American history. This means she became an expert in the history of countries in Central and South America.

Lillian Fisher wrote many important books about how Spain ruled its colonies in the Americas. She also wrote a book about Manuel Abad y Queipo, who was a reform-minded bishop in Mexico. Another famous book of hers was about the Tupac Amaru rebellion in Peru. A well-known historian, John J. TePaske, said in 1968 that "At least three generations of graduate students have studied the works of Lillian Estelle Fisher." This shows how influential her work was for many years.

Early Life and Education

Lillian Fisher was born in Pennsylvania in 1891. Her parents, George P. and Etta R. Fisher, were farmers. She went to Susquehanna University and earned her first degree in 1912 with top honors.

After college, she taught for a short time in Mexico, from 1913 to 1916. She taught at a school in Puebla that trained teachers. Later, she moved to California. She earned her master's degree from the University of Southern California in 1918.

Then, she went to the University of California, Berkeley, to get her doctorate. She finished this advanced degree in 1924. Her professor, Herbert I. Priestley, was her mentor. He was worried that as a woman, she might face challenges finding a job in history.

Teaching and Research

After finishing her studies, Lillian Fisher taught at Whittier College in California. She also taught for 15 years at the Oklahoma College for Women, from 1926 to 1942. Later, she returned to Berkeley and taught at the University of California's extension program.

Lillian Fisher focused her research on the history of Latin America. She studied how the Spanish government managed its colonies. She also wrote about the "Bourbon reforms," which were changes made in the 1700s to how the Spanish colonies were governed.

In 1955, she published a major book about Manuel Abad y Queipo. He was an important figure in Mexico during the late colonial period. This book is still considered the main source of information about him.

She also wrote a book about the events that led to Mexico's independence from Spain. Her research on secret societies, like the Masons, during that time is still used by historians today.

Lillian Fisher also wrote an important article about women's roles in the Mexican Revolution. This article, called "The Influence of the Present Mexican Revolution on the Status of Women," has been included in collections of writings about women in Latin American history. Her last major book, about the Tupac Amaru revolt, was published in 1966 when she was 75 years old.

Contributions to History

Lillian Fisher was an active member of the history community. In 1938, she served as the Secretary for the Conference on Latin American History. This was an important time when many key decisions were made about the organization.

She gave her personal papers, including her unpublished novels and letters, to the Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkeley. These papers help other historians learn more about her life and work.

Later Life and Legacy

Lillian Fisher passed away in Moraga, California, in May 1988. She was 97 years old. Her work helped many people understand the history of Latin America better. She opened doors for other women in the field of history.

Books by Lillian Fisher

• Viceregal Administration in the Spanish Colonies. Berkeley: University of California Press 1926.
• The Intendant System in Spanish America. Berkeley: University of California Press 1929.
• The Background of the Movement for Mexican Independence. New York: Russell and Russell 1934.
• Champion of Reform: Manuel Abad y Queipo. New York: Library Publishers 1955.
• The Last Inca Revolt, 1780–1783. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press 1966.

Articles by Lillian Fisher

• "The Intendant System in Spanish America," The Hispanic American Historical Review (HAHR), vol. 8 No. 1 (Feb. 1928), pp. 3–13.
• "Teodoro de Croix," HAHR Vol. 9, No. 4 (November 1929), pp. 488–504.
• "Manuel Abad y Queipo, Bishop of Michoacan," HAHR vol. 15, No. 4 (November 1935), pp. 425–447.
• "The Influence of the Present Mexican Revolution on the Status of Women," HAHR Vol. 22, No. 1 (Feb., 1942), pp. 211–228.

See also

• Conference on Latin American History
• Historiography of Colonial Spanish America