After the start of the American Civil War, Harriet Beecher Stowe met President Abraham Lincoln in November 1862. It has been reported that Lincoln greeted her by saying, “so you are the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war.” [1]
Harriet Beecher Stowe was an American author and abolitionist, best known for her 1852 novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Harriet Beecher married Rev. Calvin Ellis Stowe on 6 January 1836.
Harriet Elisabeth Beecher was born on 14 June 1811, the daughter of Calvinist preacher Lyman Beecher. At the age of 21, she joined her father at the Lane Theological Seminary where she joined the Semi-Colon Club, a literary salon and social club.
Rev. Calvin Ellis Stowe was a professor of Biblical Literature at the Lane Theological Seminary when Harriet Beecher met him at the Semi-Colon Club. Stowe’s first wife Eliza, who had died in August 1834, had been a good friend of Harriet’s. Harriet was 24 when they married at the Seminary on 6 January 1836. Calvin, who has been described as “nine years older, stoutish and a little bald,” was completely supportive of Harriet’s literary career. Deeply religious, she strongly believed God had called her to fulfill the roles of wife and writer.
The Stowes had seven children together. Twin daughters were born in September of the year they married while Calvin was in Europe. Harriet named one Eliza and the second Isabella. However, upon his return home, her husband insisted that Isabella’s name be changed to Harriet. One more daughter and 4 sons followed.
Beecher Stowe wrote 30 books, including novels, travel memoirs, articles, and letters. Her acclaimed novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, was completed in 1852 which made her famous, and brought her enough wealth to free her from economic and domestic cares. She continued writing through the nineteenth century, becoming influential both for her writings and for her public stances on social issues of the day. She died on 1 July 1896, aged 85.