Margaret Fuller, one of the most remarkable women of the nineteenth century, is often misremembered as an eccentric intellectual. However, her life and work reveal a deeply influential figure in the realms of literature, journalism, and social reform. Paula Blanchard’s biography paints a comprehensive picture of Fuller, highlighting her achievements against the backdrop of a society that often sought to limit her potential.

A Woman Ahead of Her Time

Born into a society that expected women to be passive and dependent, Margaret Fuller defied norms and carved out a niche for herself in the intellectual circles of Boston and Concord. She was not only a member of these transcendentalist groups but also supported her family after her father’s death, reported on social injustices for the New York Tribune, and engaged in the revolutionary fervor of Italy in 1848-1849. Her romance with Marchese Giovanni Angelo Ossoli was a significant departure from convention, illustrating her willingness to defy societal expectations.

The Influence of Timothy Fuller

Much of Fuller’s drive and intellect can be traced back to her father, Timothy Fuller. A stern patriarch, he instilled in her a love for learning at a young age, teaching her to read by three and guiding her through complex classical texts. Though his expectations laid a foundation for her intellectual pursuits, they also led to a struggle with physical and emotional needs, setting a pattern of inner conflict that marked much of her life.

The Struggle for Balance

As Fuller grew, the disparity between her father’s ambitions for her and societal expectations for women became more pronounced. While her intellect could have set her on a path similar to her male peers, as a woman, she faced pressure to embody traditional femininity. Her adult life thus became a balancing act between her "masculine" intellect and her "feminine" desire for love, a conflict that influenced both her achievements and her personal happiness.

Education and Intellectual Pursuits

Fuller’s gifts led her beyond these conflicts. Her conversational prowess and empathetic nature allowed her to forge deep connections with both men and women. Despite societal constraints, she continued her education, her voracious reading earning comparisons to historian Edward Gibbon.

Transcendentalist Connections

Through her early associations with figures like James Freeman Clarke and Elizabeth Peabody, Fuller immersed herself in the ideas of German and English Romantics. Heavily influenced by Goethe, she harbored ambitions of chronicling his life, a testament to her deep intellectual engagement with the era’s leading thinkers.

Domestic Responsibilities

Even as she explored her intellectual interests, Fuller managed significant domestic duties at home, particularly after her family moved to Groton in 1832. She balanced these responsibilities with her intellectual pursuits, tutoring her siblings while advancing her own education.

Embracing the Role of Educator

Fuller’s father’s sudden death in 1835 thrust her into the role of family provider, a necessity that propelled her return to the educational world. She taught at Bronson Alcott’s progressive school and later set up evening classes in literature for women, finding fulfillment in sharing knowledge and fostering education where formal avenues were restricted.

Engagement with the Transcendental Club

Relocating near Boston allowed Fuller to reconnect with the transcendentalists and begin her famous "Conversations," intellectual gatherings aimed at empowering women in an encouraging environment. Her belief in gender equality fueled her commitment to these causes, driving her to provide opportunities for women to engage deeply with intellectual and cultural topics.

Editorial Ventures: The Dial

In 1839, Fuller took on the role of editor for The Dial , a transcendentalist journal, contributing significantly to its content. Her essays covered a range of topics, with her...