Unsentimental Reformer

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“Waugh is excellent at placing Lowell in her time, class, and place, with her desire to be ‘scientific’ and to distinguish the deserving from the undeserving needy. The author points out that Lowell faced and learned how to use the constraints of her gender, and how to adapt to and use the political system when necessary. Lowell’s achievement of these skills demonstrates how women without the vote could influence political matters through connections and mobilizing public support. Waugh has made very good use of the relevant primary and secondary materials.”—V. P. Caruso, Choice

“This study of one of the pivotal figures in late nineteenth century American social reform gives us a full and compelling account of how Lowell constructed new strategies to provide for the needs of the poor…In a variety of ways this fine book makes important contributions to our understanding of American social welfare history.”—Kathryn Kish Sklar, Binghamton University

“Here is a heroic figure whose life commitments to serving the poor have all too much resonance for our own society…An important contribution to the history of reform, to American women’s history, and to American biography. It fills an important gap in the literature on late nineteenth century reform.”—Ellen Fitzpatrick, University of New Hampshire

“Joan Waugh’s book is the first full, nuanced account of the life of Josephine Shaw Lowell, founder of the Charity Organization Party (1882)…Waugh’s fine biography rightly highlights the career of an important figure in turn-of-the-century charity movements and reform.”—Alison M. Parker, American Historical Review