Julia Ward Howe

“ Her social life in New York was a broad one, and early in her career she was brought into relations with the New England group. In 1843 she married Samuel Gridley Howe, Director of the Perkins Institution for the Blind, the first to teach a blind deaf mute, Laura Bridgman, and a leader in the cause of Grecian independence. After a European trip, they settled in Boston, with which her future life is definitely associated. ”

“ The play represents also the work of that group of writers, centered in Boston and distinguished in other fields, of which Mrs. Howe was a part, even although she was not of New England origin.
Julia Ward Howe was born in New York City, May 27, 1819, the daughter of Samuel Ward, a leading New York banker. Her family on both sides went back to Revolutionary stock. She was interested in plays from early childhood, writing a drama at the age of nine. Her education, nominally completed at sixteen, but really only then beginning, was wide and thorough, especially in languages. ”

“ Later Lyrics, her third volume of poems, appeared in 1865, and in 1867 she went to Greece to help the Cretans, studying Greek at the same time. In 1868 she helped to found the first Woman's Club in New England. In 1876 her husband died and the remainder of her long life was devoted to woman's interests and to social betterment. ”