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Dromo's Den
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[Up] [Dromo's Den] Dorothea Dix Biography DIX, Dorothea Lynde, philanthropist and author, born in Worcester, Mass., in 1794; died in Trenton, New Jersey, July 19, 1887. After completing her education, she taught school in Boston until 1834, and visited Europe for the purpose of inspecting the methods of treating criminals and unfortunates. On returning to America she devoted her time to investigating the condition of lunatics, paupers, and prisoners in the several states east of the Rocky Mountains, and by persistent effort induced favorable legislation for the poor and unfortunate. Petitions to congress were circulated in all parts of the country at her suggestion, asking that 10,000,000 acres of land be appropriated to found asylums for pauper lunatics. A bill to this effect passed congress, but was vetoed by President Pierce. She was superintendent of hospital nurses at Washington during the Civil War. Among several works published by her are "Conversation about Common Things" and "Prison and Prison Discipline." The Teachers' and Pupils' Cyclopædia, Vol. II (Kansas City: Bufton Book Co., 1909) 505-506. |