Victoria Woodhull: Free Spirit for Women's Rights

Description: At a time when women were regarded as second-class citizens, Victoria Woodhull (1838-1927) led a life of many "firsts." She was the first woman stockbroker, the first woman to speak before Congress, and the first woman to run for President of the United States.

Oxford Portraits are informative and insightful biographies of people whose lives shaped their times and continue to influence ours. Based on the most recent scholarship, they draw heavily on primary sources, including writings by and about their subjects. Each book is illustrated with a wealth of photographs, documents, memorabilia, framing the personality and achievements of its subject against the backdrop of history.

Review Quotes: "Brody presents an insightful and comprehensive picture of Woodhull and the often underreported role she played in the early women's rights movement. The chronological account describes her difficult and abusive childhood, disastrous first marriage, success as a businesswoman, campaign to be elected president, economic downfall and imprisonment on obscenity charges, and new start in England. The book provides historical context, explaining, for example, that Woodhulls interest in spiritualism was not unusual during that time period. Her role as an orator for women's suffrage and other reforms is highlighted, as is the political agenda she espoused....Best suited for students more interested in getting the full picture of the lives of these Americans, rather than those looking for a simple accounting of facts." -- School Library Journal