Susan B. Anthony Inscribes “The History of Woman Suffrage” to a Woman Who Helped Make its Publication Possible

“This huge Volume IV is presented to you because of your generous contribution – in 1900 – to the proposed “Standing Fund” – and your cheerful transference of the same to the printing of this book – and because of your noble hopeful daughter – and your noble mother – and your own dear self.”

In 1851, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton met in Seneca Falls, NY.  They would spend the next several decades together fighting for the rights of women, Anthony as organizer and tactician and Stanton as writer and orator.  On Stanton’s death, Anthony related that Stanton had “forged the thunderbolts” that she had fired.  Theirs is one of the more consequential relationships of the 19th century and images of them together are synonymous with the women’s suffrage movement.

Their goal was not simply to secure women equal rights, but to elevate the women pioneers of their movement to equal status as male historical figures.  In 1876, Anthony and Stanton conceived of a monumental project memorializing their movement and its early pioneers.  This became their magnum opus, the 4 volume “The History of Woman Suffrage.” Volumes 1 & 2 were published in 1881, volume 3 in 1886, and volume 4 in 1902.

Ellen Brazier was a life member of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, as was her mother Emma.  Ellen for years helped contribute money to Anthony’s efforts and to the publication of the “History.”  When Volume IV came out, Anthony sent her a copy with a note to thank her in person for her support.

First edition of “The History of Woman Suffrage,” Volume IV, in its original bindings, inscribed on February 15, 1902 by Anthony to “Ms Ellen K. Brazier, Philadelphia – Penn.”  “This huge Volume IV is presented to you because of your generous contribution – in 1900 – to the proposed “Standing Fund” – and your cheerful transference of the same to the printing of this book – and because of your noble hopeful daughter – and your noble mother – and your own dear self.”