Biography of Clara Barton

Biography of Clara Barton

learn about the biography of Clara Barton, Civil War nurse who founded the American Red Cross

Clara Barton Biography 

Hand Clara Barton, whose full name is Clarissa Harlow Barton (born December 25, 1821, Oxford, Massachusetts, USA – died April 12, 1912, Glen Echo, Maryland). It is the foundation of the American Red Cross

Where did Clara Barton grow up?

On Christmas Day in 1821, Clarissa Harlowe Barton was born in Oxford, Massachusetts. Captain Stephen Barton, her father, had a property and had served in the Indian Wars. Clara learned that everyone should be treated equally from her mother Sarah, who was a strong supporter of women’s rights.

The youngest of five children, Clara, was raised. Sally and Dorothea were her two older sisters, and Stephen and David were her two older brothers. Clara was taught to read and write when she was still a young child, and she excelled at school.

Clara acquired a work ethic while growing up on a farm. She had a lot of responsibilities, including early-morning cow milking, wood-cutting, and caring for sick animals. She also enjoyed riding horses.

Her Brother Gets Hurt

David, Clara’s older brother, fell from a barn’s roof when Clara was eleven years old. He fell seriously ill. The following two years were devoted to Clara’s care for David. The prognosis for David’s recovery was not good, but with Clara’s assistance, he eventually recovered. Clara learned that she liked taking care of others at this period.

Working as a Teacher

Clara started her career as a teacher of summer school at the tender age of seventeen. Despite having no formal training, she excelled at her work. Soon, she was also sought after by schools to teach in the winter. They proposed paying her less than what the male teachers earned. She asserted that she wouldn’t perform a male’s job for wages below that of a man. They quickly decided to give her the entire salary.

Clara ultimately made the decision to pursue an education degree. She attended college in New York and received her diploma in 1851. Clara initially started working at a private school before deciding to work toward starting a free public school. She put a lot of effort into getting the school completed, and by 1854 it had 600 pupils.

Fighting for Women’s Rights

Clara relocated to Washington, D.C., where she started a job at the patent office. She wasn’t treated properly, though, because she was a lady. She and all the other female employees were at one point sacked solely for being female. Clara fought to reclaim her position. She also battled for women’s rights to receive equal treatment at work. Even President Abraham Lincoln sided with her.

The Civil War Begins

A lot of wounded troops landed in Washington, D.C., just before the Civil War began. Sally and Clara tried their best to assist the soldiers. They learned that the soldiers had only basic medical supplies to treat their wounds. Clara made the decision to take action. She quickly devised a plan to transport the supplies required by the front-line men.

Clara traveled from battle to battle throughout the Civil War, doing what she could to treat the wounded men. She had the guts to approach the location of the conflict directly. She earned the moniker “Angel of the Battlefield” due to the fact that she brought solace to many warriors.

Medicine During the Civil War

The state of medicine was not what it is today during the Civil War. Before treating a patient, doctors didn’t even wash their hands or sterilize their medical supplies. The situation was so dire that illness was to blame for roughly 60% of wartime fatalities.

The American Red Cross

Clara discovered the International Red Cross while visiting another country. During the conflict, this group assisted injured soldiers. On the outside of their hospital tents, they hoisted a flag with a white background and a red cross on it. Clara wanted to bring the Red Cross to America after working for it in France.

Clara established the American Red Cross on May 21, 1881, after four years of lobbying that required a lot of effort. Since that time, the American Red Cross has assisted victims of numerous calamities, including earthquakes, fires, and floods. Nowadays, the Red Cross manages a significant blood donation program that aids in keeping hospitals stocked with much needed blood.

Facts about Clara Barton

• While bringing a soldier a cup of water, the soldier passed away unexpectedly. When a bullet nearly missed her and struck the soldier instead, she saw a hole in her sleeve.
• Clara sought to find the whereabouts of lost soldiers after the Civil War. Little records of missing soldiers had been kept by the army.
• Clara taught first aid around the nation after retiring from the Red Cross in her 80s.
• There are several elementary schools and high schools across the nation that bear Clara Barton’s name.
• She never got married and never had kids. She claimed that she thought of the soldiers as her family.

Read also : Facts about the American Civil War