Title: Frances Wright
Creator: Walt Whitman
Date: Around 1857
Whitman Archive ID: duk.00180
Source: Trent Collection of Whitmaniana, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University. Transcribed from digital images of the original item. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the marginalia and annotations, see our statement of editorial policy.
Contributors to digital file: Lauren Grewe, Nicole Gray, Ty Alyea, and Matt Cohen
Frances Wright was born in Scotland, of
gentle lineage—parents died early—educated by
uncles,—noblemen; was talented early—of free
enquiring disposition—republican—wrote
"A few Days in Athens" when 20 years old—
—Came to America—lectured—had to do with
the "Free Enquirer," an atheistical weekly—
—was a noble, (but much scorned) woman
—married D'Arusmont—the great error
of her life—he coveted her property—
thwarted her—kept exclusive possession
of her child, a daughter; Frances
had great wealth (Mrs. Rose says $150,000)
—D'A. obtained all—even a second
bequest left to Frances by a Scotch
aunt—Frances had even to sue
for a maintenance out of her own
property.— Judge allowed her $1000 a year
—Frances died somewhere about 1853—
a heart‑broken, harassed woman—
all her philanthropic schemes and
ideas, coming to nought—(I like much
her portrait-engraving—where she is
represented seated—)