Clara Barton, Professional Angel

This biography explores the complex life of Clara Barton, revealing her struggles and extraordinary contributions to American social progress.

Widely recognized as the 'Angel of the Battlefield,' Clara Barton's personal life has long been enveloped in mystery. In Clara Barton, Professional Angel, Elizabeth Brown Pryor offers a compelling biography that peels back the layers of Barton's heroic persona, revealing the complexities and challenges of her character. Drawing from the extensive papers that Barton meticulously preserved throughout her life, this biography stands out as the first to incorporate her recorded thoughts, providing a deeper understanding of her experiences and motivations.

The narrative is enriched by Barton's own voluminous correspondence, as well as letters and reminiscences from those close to her, including lovers, a grandniece who sought to understand her aunt, and doctors who treated her for various nervous disorders. Through this lens, Barton emerges as a vividly human figure, grappling with her insecure family background and a society that often failed to recognize her contributions. Her relentless pursuit of achievement was not merely for personal gain but a quest for the love and acknowledgment that consistently eluded her.

Despite facing numerous challenges, Barton's accomplishments are nothing short of extraordinary. From her valiant efforts on Civil War battlefields to her pivotal role in securing American involvement in the International Red Cross, she championed disaster relief and women's rights. Yet, the essence of her life is defined by her willingness to challenge societal norms, often at great personal cost, as she dedicated herself to mending the lives of others while her own remained frayed.