Dorothea dix biography summary printable

Dorothea Dix was an early 19 th century activist who drastically changed the medical field during her lifetime. She championed causes for both the mentally ill and indigenous populations.

Dorothea dix fun facts

By doing this work, she openly challenged 19 th century notions of reform and illness. Additionally, Dix helped recruit nurses for the Union army during the Civil War. As a result, she transformed the field of nursing. Dix was born in Hampden, Maine in Little is known about her childhood. However, historians believe that her parents suffered from alcoholism and her father was abusive.

Due to this abuse at a young age she moved to Boston to stay with her grandmother. Dix attended school in Boston and tutored children. She became ill several times and was forced to stop teaching.