Julia Ward Howe

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Julia Ward Howe was born on May 27, 1819, in New York City and died on October 17, 1910, in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. She was an American poet, writer, and social activist best known for writing the lyrics to “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Her life combined literary creativity with advocacy for abolition, women’s suffrage, and other social causes.

Howe grew up in a wealthy and religious family, receiving an education that was unusual for women of her time. Her early influences included the literature and ideas of the Romantic and Transcendentalist movements, which inspired her poetry and writings. After marrying Samuel Gridley Howe, a prominent reformer and abolitionist, she became involved in the abolitionist movement, though her marriage was marked by tension due to conflicting views on women’s roles.

The Civil War was a pivotal period in her life. In 1861, during a visit to Washington, D.C., she witnessed Union troops singing “John Brown’s Body.” Inspired, she wrote new lyrics to the tune, producing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Published in 1862, the song became a powerful anthem for the Union cause. While Howe did not serve in the military, her work captured the spirit of the time and provided moral support to soldiers and civilians alike.

After the war, Howe focused on social reform, particularly women’s rights. She became a leader in the suffrage movement and co-founded the New England Women’s Club. In 1870, she issued her “Mother’s Day Proclamation,” calling for an international day of peace led by women. This effort was an early step toward the modern observance of Mother’s Day. Howe also became the first woman elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters, recognizing her contributions to literature.

Her legacy is deeply tied to her activism and her poetry. “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” remains one of America’s most iconic patriotic songs, and her work as a reformer helped pave the way for future generations of women leaders. Julia Ward Howe is remembered not only as a poet but also as a trailblazer in the fight for justice and equality.

You may learn more at the National Women’s History Museum and Wikipedia.