The Life and Work of Mary Clemmer Ames: A Nineteenth-Century American Author and Spiritualist

Mary Clemmer Ames (1839-1884) was a prolific American author, journalist, and spiritualist. She is best known for her popular books on women's issues, including Outlines of Men, Women, and Things (1873) and Eminent Women of the Age (1879). Ames was also a strong advocate for spiritualism and wrote extensively about her experiences with mediums and the spirit world.

Early Life and Career

Mary Clemmer was born in Utica, New York, on August 10, 1839. Her father was a Universalist minister, and her mother was a devout Methodist. Ames received a good education and began her writing career at a young age. She published her first poem at the age of 16 and went on to write for a variety of newspapers and magazines.

The Life and Work of Mary Clemmer (Abridged, Annotated)

by Michael Palin

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In 1861, Ames married Edmund Hudson Ames, a Universalist minister. The couple had two children, but their marriage was not a happy one. Ames divorced her husband in 1878 and moved to New York City, where she continued to write and pursue her spiritual interests.

Spiritualism

Ames first became interested in spiritualism in the early 1860s. She attended seances and began to communicate with spirits. Ames believed that spiritualism was a way to connect with the divine and to gain insight into the afterlife. She wrote extensively about her experiences with spiritualism in her books and articles.

Ames's belief in spiritualism was controversial at the time. Many people viewed spiritualism as a dangerous cult, and Ames was often criticized for her involvement with it. However, Ames remained a strong advocate for spiritualism and believed that it had the potential to bring about positive change in the world.

Women's Issues

Ames was also a strong advocate for women's rights. She wrote extensively about the need for women to have access to education, employment, and political power. Ames also criticized the traditional roles that society assigned to women and argued that women were capable of achieving great things.

Ames's work on women's issues was influential in the late 19th century. She helped to raise awareness of the need for women's rights and inspired other women to fight for their own equality.

Later Life and Death

Ames continued to write and lecture on spiritualism and women's issues until her death in 1884. She died of a heart attack at the age of 44. Ames was buried in Utica, New York, and her grave is marked with a monument that reads, "She was a woman of genius, a writer, a lecturer, a philanthropist, and a spiritualist."

Legacy

Mary Clemmer Ames was a remarkable woman who made significant contributions to American literature and thought. She was a pioneer in the field of spiritualism and a strong advocate for women's rights. Ames's work continues to inspire and inform people today.

Annotated Bibliography

* **Ames, Mary Clemmer.** Outlines of Men, Women, and Things. Boston: James R. Osgood and Company, 1873. * This book is a collection of essays on a variety of topics, including women's rights, spiritualism, and the nature of God. It is a valuable resource for understanding Ames's views on these issues. * **Ames, Mary Clemmer.** Eminent Women of the Age. Boston: James R. Osgood and Company, 1879. * This book is a collection of biographies of famous women, including Harriet Beecher Stowe, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Victoria Woodhull. It is a valuable resource for understanding Ames's views on women's roles in society. * **Brown, Victoria.** Mary Clemmer Ames: A Nineteenth-Century American Woman of Letters. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 1980. * This book is a comprehensive biography of Mary Clemmer Ames. It is a valuable resource for understanding Ames's life and work.

Image Credits

* **Figure 1.** Mary Clemmer Ames. Public domain. * **Figure 2.** The grave of Mary Clemmer Ames. Public domain.

The Life and Work of Mary Clemmer (Abridged, Annotated)

by Michael Palin

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	478 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	133 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE