Valiant Friend: The Life of Lucretia Mott

by Margaret Hope Bacon

A compelling biography of the determined Quaker pacifist vividly portrays her lifelong battle against slavery, poverty, war, and the oppression of women during the nineteenth century

Genres: Biography, History

280 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1990

Reviews

[Stasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Mothers of Feminism, this book gave me some good perspective on the Society of Friends in terms of both past and present. I'm amazed both by how much we've changed over the years, and by how little we've changed over the years...

[Jared Birchmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely fell in love with this book, for a few reasons (some which exist due to very special personal connections and others that are more broadly applicable). To start, Lucretia Mott is an outstanding feminist leader, influential in the early women’s rights movement, education reforms, social service provision and an active early abolitionist within the Quaker community. Having heard the names of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, after reading this biography I was astonished to have never heard of Lucretia. The ways in which she organized for her rights and the rights of others is admirable and I hope more folks take the time to learn her name and hear her story. At just over 250 pages, I was surprised by how much life Lucretia lived and the way that Margaret Hope Bacon so eloquently presented that richness and depth. On a personal note, in August of last year I lost a dear friend of mine, Carling Mott, unexpectedly. She was a direct descendent of Lucretia and often spoke with immense pride of her foremother and the path that she paved for women throughout the U.S. Reading this biography allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of someone that Carling admired so deeply and in a way it felt like I was getting to know Carling on a deeper level too. I plan to reread this over and over again in the years ahead and hope that you’ll add it to your TBR stack too!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

The life of Lucretia Mott, one of the Quaker leaders who fought against slavery and for women's rights. It a great joy to find out that my ancestor, Lucretia Mott was great friend with Susan B. Anthony. Before I found this out, I had already had a friend who was descended from Susan B. Anthony! Other than the great surprise, this is a wonderful book of a courgeous and daring woman who along with others at Seneca Falls changed history.

[Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lucrecia Mott was a fascinating lady, little remembered by history and overshadowed by E Cady Stanton and Susan B Anthony in the suffrage movement. But without Mott to guide and support Stanton in the early years, I say Seneca Falls 1848 doesn't happen.

A readable biography, not as good as Griffith's on Cady Stanton.

[Indiegoddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and fascinating read about a beautiful and fascinating personality. I am glad that I have Margaret Hope Bacon's book on the history of Quakers in America to continue my reading. I hope to continue to be inspired by the writer's other works as I was by this.

[Lee Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Possibly of interest as a memoir for her descendants or those of strong feminist views. Reads like a dull diary of endless meetings and establishments of societies with which one has no connection. An "assigned read" I would never have chosen nor would recommend.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great biography about the Nantucket woman who figured prominently in the women's suffrage movement though she is rarely remembered with her more famous peers.

[Weavre]

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