Biography
Margaret Fuller stands out in history as a trailblazer in feminism, a sharp social and literary critic, and a pioneering female journalist. Her life's journey was marked by intellectual rigor and a dedication to social reform, which she pursued through teaching, writing, and activism. Fuller's work, particularly in the realm of gender equality, remains influential, offering insights into both the potential for individual self-expression and the broader societal changes she championed.
Early Life
Born on May 23, 1810, in Cambridgeport, Massachusetts, Sarah Margaret Fuller was the eldest of Timothy and Margaret Crane Fuller's nine children. Her father, a Harvard-educated lawyer deeply entrenched in Massachusetts politics, had hoped for a son but was resolved to provide his daughter with a classical education typically reserved for boys. From an early age, Margaret was subjected to an intense academic regimen under her father's guidance, mastering English and Latin grammar and delving into the works of Vergil, Ovid, Horace, and Shakespeare well before she turned ten.
Margaret briefly attended Miss Prescott’s School in Groton at fourteen but soon returned home to continue her studies. Her formidable intellect often complicated her social relationships, a recurring theme throughout her life. Unhappy with her appearance, Margaret dedicated herself to cultivating her mind, spending long hours immersed in literature and philosophy across multiple languages, punctuated by music and walks.
By her late teens, Margaret had forged connections with Harvard students like James Freeman Clarke and Frederic Henry Hedge, laying the groundwork for her involvement with the Transcendentalist movement. Known for her sharp wit, she gained a reputation in Cambridge and Harvard circles as a formidable conversationalist. Yet, her keen intellect sometimes veered into sarcasm, alienating even her closest allies, as she imposed her own high standards on those around her.
Challenges and Resilience
In 1833, the Fuller family relocated to a farm in Groton, where Margaret assumed additional responsibilities, educating her siblings and managing the household during her mother's illness. Despite these burdens, she continued her voracious reading, particularly of German literature and philosophy. A severe illness in early 1835 underscored the pressures of her life, compounded by the death of her father in October of the same year.
This period of uncertainty thwarted Margaret's plans to travel to Europe, forcing her to seek employment to support her family. After visiting Ralph Waldo Emerson in Concord, she accepted a role at Bronson Alcott’s Temple School in Boston and later taught at Greene Street School in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1837.
While in Providence, Margaret's intellectual pursuits continued unabated, translating works like Johann P. Eckermann’s Conversations with Goethe and contributing scholarly articles and poetry to a Unitarian journal. Her critical essay published in the inaugural issue of the Transcendentalist publication the Dial marked her emergence as a significant literary figure. Despite her success in education, Margaret yearned for the intellectual vibrancy of Boston, prompting her return to Jamaica Plain with her family in 1839.
Engagement with Transcendentalism
Back in Boston, Margaret's association with the Transcendentalist movement, which began in earnest in 1836 after meeting Emerson, deepened. Transcendentalism was less a rigid doctrine than an intellectual exchange about spiritual and philosophical freedom. As the first editor of the Dial in 1840, Margaret played a crucial role in sustaining the publication, contributing extensively until stepping down two years later.
Supporting herself through "Conversations," Margaret gathered Boston's elite women for discussions ranging from mythology to women's rights, aiming to foster independent thinking. These gatherings bolstered her reputation as a speaker and critic, while her involvement with the Brook Farm communal experiment represented her commitment to exploring ideal societal organization.
Margaret's friendship with...
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Emerson, whom she credited with enhancing her spiritual understanding, was intellectually stimulating yet complex. Their relationship was marked by a mutual development of literary appreciation, though they often found themselves at odds in their personal and philosophical interactions.
Literary and Social Contributions
In 1843, Margaret documented her travels to the Midwest in Summer on the Lake, examining the interplay of nature and humanity. Her groundbreaking work earned her the distinction of being the first woman allowed in Harvard's library and caught the attention of Horace Greeley of the New York Tribune. Though advised against it by friends like Emerson, Margaret embraced Greeley's offer to become the Tribune's literary critic, relocating to New York in 1844 as the first female member of the American press.
Under Greeley's encouragement, Margaret honed her writing and delved into critiques of significant authors and ideas. Her Tribune articles addressed social issues, shedding light on education and conditions in prisons and asylums, catalyzing reform initiatives. Her seminal work, Women in the Nineteenth Century (1845), argued for gender equality, stirring public debate and contributing to early feminist discourse.
Margaret's subsequent collection, Papers on Literature and Art, consolidated her influence in literary criticism. Yet, the relentless demands of journalism exacerbated her health problems, leading to her groundbreaking role as America's first foreign correspondent in 1846, where she documented European events with a focus on societal injustices.
Later Years and Legacy
Margaret's travels in Italy during 1847 immersed her in the country's struggle for independence, where she met Giovanni Angelo Ossoli, an Italian noble advocating for reform. Their relationship, complicated by social and familial tensions, became central to Margaret's life. During Rome's Republican tumult, Margaret secretly bore a son, Angelo, and actively participated in the city's defense.
Following the Republican defeat, Margaret and Ossoli sought refuge in Florence, where she penned a history of the Italian Revolution. Despite anticipating misfortunes, they sailed for America in 1850, but tragedy struck as their ship was wrecked near Fire Island, New York. Margaret, Ossoli, and their son perished, along with her manuscript on Italy's revolution.
Summary
Margaret Fuller is often remembered for her close ties to New England Transcendentalism, yet her legacy is most profound in literary criticism and social reform. Alongside Edgar Allan Poe, she is considered a leading nineteenth-century critic, upholding standards unaltered by popular trends. As a journalist and social commentator, her work in the Tribune scrutinized American values and led to practical reforms.
In her personal life, Margaret defied conventional roles, advocating for women's rights through her writings and actions. Her landmark work, Women in the Nineteenth Century, remains a cornerstone of feminist literature, challenging outdated perceptions of gender roles. Her insistence on the importance of individuality over societal labels continues to resonate, highlighting the enduring potential of human expression.
Criticism by Margaret Fuller
