JULIA WARD HOWE was born in New York, May 27, 1819. Her father, Samuel Ward, was a banker, noted for his liberality and public spirit. Her mother was a lady of rare culture. She received a careful education, and in 1843 married
Dr. S. G. Howe. They made an extended trip in Europe. In 1850 she made a second trip, spending nearly a year in Rome. She took an active part in the anti-slavery movement. During the Civil War she was an active worker in the United States Sanitary Commission. She has been a prominent worker in many social reforms. During the World's Fair, held in New Orleans, she held the position of chief of the woman's department.
In 1854 appeared her first book, "Passion Flower," which was followed, in 1856, by "Words for the Hour." Then came "The World's Own," and "Hippolitus," two tragedies. In 1866 she published "Later Lyrics," which comprised "Poems of the War," "Lyrics of the Street," "Parables" and "Poems of Study." Of all her poems, the "Battle-Hymn of the Republic" is the most memorable. The terrible events of the war greatly stirred her, and it was then that her great mental powers made themselves felt. Later she threw her whole energies in behalf of woman's rights, and carried with her all the fervor of her anti-slavery and war-time crusades.
Besides the poems she has published "A Trip to Cuba," 1858, and "From the Oak to the Olive."
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