(1802-76) Author, pioneering feminist, social theorist, and abolitionist. Born in Norwich, England, she became an enormously popular author despite the handicap of being deaf since childhood. She began her literary career by writing articles on religious subjects, and her fame spread with Illustrations of Political Economy (9 vol., 1832–34) and Illustrations of Taxation (1834), two series of stories interpreting classical economics. After a two year visit to the United States, 1834-36, where she made lasting friendships with the anti-slavery factions in Boston, she became a staunch advocate for the abolition of slavery and wrote several unflattering works on this American institution, including Society in America (1837) and Retrospect of Western Travel (1838).

Famous Quotes by Harriet Martineau:

"If there is any country on earth where the course of true love may be expected to run smooth, it is America."

"The sum and substance of female education in America, as in England, is training women to consider marriage as the sole object in life, and to pretend that they do not think so."

"Any one must see at a glance that if men and women marry those whom they do not love, they must love those whom they do not marry."

Source: Columbia Encyclopedia

Original, 1800's period portrait engraving, with printed signature and the year 1850. Imprint, G. Richmond, Francis Hall. 3 3 /4 x 6 1/2, tipped to 6 x 9 1/4 page. Excellent.