by Audrey Sage – Senior Conservator
The University Libraries Special Collections contains a copy of Catherine Maria Sedgwick’s The Poor Rich Man, and the Rich Poor Man, published in 1839 by Harper & Brothers. An important literary advocate for women in the 19th century, Sedgwick’s words, intelligence, and voice had fallen into obscurity towards the end of the 19th century. Interest in her work was revived in the 1960’s and since then, many scholars have studied her writing, appreciating and evaluating her contributions to literature and to society as a whole.
Sedgwick’s book is a significant one, addressing important themes of wealth and social class, while also expressing her own beliefs, such “As slaves must be trained for freedom, so women must be educated for usefulness, independence, and contentment in single life.” Sedgwick herself lived according to this dogma. Throughout her career, the independent author’s stories shaped American literature and society.
“Catharine Maria Sedgwick loved to read which later sparked her passion for writing. Over time, she became a strong, motivated, and passionate author. Her brothers recognized her literary genius and in the 1820s, they convinced her to contact publishers. With this encouragement, Catharine published A New-England Tale in 1822, and thereafter, her career blossomed. Over time, Sedgwick wrote nine novels – Redwood, Hope Leslie, Clarence, The Linwoods, Home, The Poor Rich Man and the Rich Poor Man, Live and Let Live, The Irish Girl and Other Tales, and Married or Single? Sedgwick also published hundreds of short stories, children’s stories, and novellas. These works won widespread praise. As early as 1827, Sedgwick acknowledged her growing fame with a mixture of surprise and cautious optimism. In 1837, she again wrote of the “flattery, the praise, the fame” she received throughout her career.”
“During this time, politics excluded women. Yet Sedgwick used her characters to comment on national affairs. Her works showcased strong female leads, such as Hope and Magawisca from Hope Leslie. In Married or Single? Sedgwick also destigmatized single women. She emphasized that women could lead happy and fulfilling lives without husbands. As she wrote, “Marriage is not essential to the contentment, the dignity, or the happiness of woman.” Similarly, she discussed politics in stories such as A Reminiscence of Federalism. Through this narrative, she commented on various politicians and political parties. As such, Sedgwick demonstrated that women could share valuable commentary.”
“Through her words, Sedgwick promoted the idea of Republican Motherhood. This belief argued that women should educate their children to benefit America’s future. By teaching boys and girls about academics, morality, and civic duty, they would grow up to be well-rounded citizens. Though this belief confined women to the household, it gave them added importance. In the past, women were only responsible for childcare. Meanwhile, men were responsible for educating their sons. Republican Motherhood allowed women to take on new and important responsibilities. It deemed them responsible for future generations. It also encouraged women’s education. After all, uneducated women could not sufficiently teach their children.”
This novel, The Poor Rich Man, and the Rich Poor Man, introduces two characters, whose interaction leads them to evaluate what is most important in life. A wealthy businessman, Edward, has every material thing he can buy, yet still is unhappy and without purpose. Henry, the poor farmer, is happy and content in his simple life, even though he is faced with financial struggles. Their friendship allows them to develop as individuals and determine that happiness is founded more on inner joy and fulfillment, rather that on material possessions and societal standing.
Our copy had very worn covers, with the spine cloth worn through. The pages were in excellent shape but the sewing had deteriorated, allowing the signatures to become untethered.
I was able to lift the original end sheets from the cover boards, preserving the paper and notations that have been written through the years.
Each signature and page was cleaned.
The text block was re-sewn, using the same original format, with linen threads sewn around cords, which were then enclosed beneath linen backing and the original endpapers.
The original cover was restored, with the spine cloth reinforced with toned Japanese paper and reattaching the original spine reinforcement embossed paper.
Once the cover was restored, the text block was inserted into the cover and the endpapers reattached to the cover.
The book is now intact, and functioning, able to be perused and studied for years to come. The history that is evident on the cover speaks to the journey that it has travelled for the past nearly two hundred years.
“Catharine Maria Sedgwick used her writing to promote women’s independence. Yet her work extended beyond her pen. Indeed, Sedgwick helped ladies in other ways. In 1828, Sedgwick moved to Lenox, Massachusetts, to teach at her sister-in-law’s new school. Mrs. Sedgwick’s School for Young Ladies was Elizabeth Dwight Sedgwick’s passion project. Similar institutions aimed to increase ladies’ marriage prospects. At these institutions, young women learned how to act as homemakers in high society. Yet Elizabeth Dwight Sedgwick’s school stood apart. It educated young women on a variety of academic subjects. Students learned history, ethics, philosophy, rhetoric, and physiology (i.e., biology.) Catharine herself taught students about literature, including Shakespeare. She also held salons, which were a type of academic conference. During these meetings, attendants discussed literature with each other. These meetings were part of why the school became known as “The Culture Factory.”
Catharine also became the first director of the Women’s Prison Association of New York in 1854. She led it until her death in 1867. This organization was the first to advocate on behalf of female prisoners. It sought to protect imprisoned women from systematic abuse. It also focused on rehabilitating female prisoners. The organization used intervention to improve these women’s lives. This technique showed women that instead of returning to a life of crime, it was possible to start a new chapter. The Association’s operation continued long after Sedgwick’s death. In 2020, the Women’s Prison Association celebrated its 175th anniversary. Today, it continues its original mission. It advocates on behalf of incarcerated women, promotes reform, and supports rehabilitation.
Additionally, Sedgwick founded the Society for the Aid and Relief of Poor Women. This organization aimed to assist women living in impoverished conditions. Its mission was especially important during Sedgwick’s lifetime. After all, middle and upper-class antebellum women rarely held jobs. Though some worked as teachers or nurses, most lived as homemakers. Need drove poorer women into the workforce. Many labored for low wages as factory workers or domestic servants. Those who did work often earned less than their male coworkers. Many employers incorrectly believed that women deserved less pay. In their view, female laborers produced inferior work. Such discrimination meant that widows were especially vulnerable to poverty. It was often difficult for these women to keep up with the cost of living. After all, they previously relied on their husband’s salaries. Sedgwick’s organization provided both aid and hope to these suffering women. “