In Her Own Right

The first comprehensive, fully documented biography of the most important woman suffragist and feminist reformer in nineteenth-century America, In Her Own Right restores Elizabeth Cady Stanton to her true place in history. Griffith emphasizes the significance of role models and female friendships in Stanton's progress toward personal and political independence. In Her Own Right is, in the author's words, an unabashedly 'great woman' biography.


A superbly readable and historically accurate account of perhaps the most audaciously intelligent American woman in nineteenth-century America. It's the best Stanton biography we're likely to see.--The Women's Review of Books

Griffith's biography brings to life a remarkable personality who had the courage and drive both to pioneer a new role and to stake out the new intellectual territory needed to sustain it.--Harvard Law Review

A well-rounded biography that does full justice to this truly extraordinary woman.--The New York Times

At last there's a biography of Stanton worthy of its subject. Like Stanton herself, the book is feisty, intelligent, articulate...full of the concrete reality of this feminist heroine's life.--Betty Friedan

Griffith's compelling biography of Elizabeth Cady Stanton takes a major step in restoring the controversial women's rights activist to her true place in history.--New Directions for Women

Griffith's fine biography, combining careful scholarship with lively writing, splendidly restores this bold, intelligent, engaging woman to 20th-century America.--Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., The Graduate School and University Center, C.U.N.Y.

This biography performs a great service: it chronicles the life of an important pioneer who had been relegated to obscurity for far too long.--Dr. Sally K. Ride

Griffith has not only done an excellent job of portraying Elizabeth Cady Stanton's life in a lively, readable manner, but has also given us a reasonable explanation for Stanton's behavior.--Journal of the Early Republic

Griffith's work illuminates both women's forgotten history, and their magnificent ability to stand in their own light.--The Washington Post

Elisabeth Griffith's biography is...the best to date of Elizabeth Cady Stanton.--Ms. Magazine

A valuable and needed contribution not only to biography but also to history and women's literature.--The San Francisco Chronicle

Excellent biography: insightful, provocative in its portrayal of Stanton's thought, frustrations, and accomplishments.--James B. Crooks, University of North Florida, Jacksonville

[An] absorbing biography [that] does full justice to Elizabeth Cady Stanton...--The Wall Street Journal