Women Philosophers Volume II: Entering Academia in Nineteenth-Century America

About the Author

Dorothy G. Rogers is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Religion at Montclair State University, USA, teaching interdisciplinary courses on women, religion, ethics, and political thought.

Product Description

Tackling the intellectual histories of the first twenty women to earn a PhD in philosophy in the United States, this book traces their career development and influence on American intellectual life. The case studies include Eliza Ritchie, Marietta Kies, Julia Gulliver, Anna Alice Cutler, Eliza Sunderland, and many more. Editor Dorothy Rogers looks at the factors that led these women to pursue careers in academic philosophy, examines the ideas they developed, and evaluates the impact they had on the academic and social worlds they inhabited.

Many of these women were active in professional academic circles, published in academic journals, and contributed to important philosophical discussions of the day: the question of free will, the nature of God in relation to self, and how to establish a just society. The most successful women earned their degrees at women-friendly institutions, yet a handful of them achieved professional distinction at institutions that refused to recognize their achievements at the time; John Hopkins and Harvard are notable examples.

The women who did not develop careers in academic philosophy often moved to careers in social welfare or education. Thus, whilst looking at the academic success of some, this book also examines the policies and practices that made it difficult or impossible for others to succeed.

Review

“Dorothy Rogers takes us on an unusual journey that starts in the 19th century. She sheds light on twenty-four women who completed their doctorates in philosophy at famous universities in America. We follow their tracks, at universities, colleges and professional networks. We learn about the ups and downs of the careers of famous scholars like Marietta Kies and Christine Ladd Franklin and how Mary Whiton Calkins became the first president of the APA. This is an essential volume for retracing the histories of women philosophers in the US.” ―Ruth Hagengruber, Head of Philosophy and Director of the Center for the History of Women Philosophers and Scientists, Paderborn University, Germany

“This book provides an essential correction to the history of American philosophy by recovering the lives and philosophical contributions of American women who, against all odds, earned Ph.D.s in philosophy prior to 1920. It repairs the occlusion of women in philosophy by making these women and their ideas visible.” ―Judy Whipps, Emerita Professor of Integrative Studies and Philosophy, Grand Valley State University, USA

“This work from Rogers provides an important and insightful addition to the growing body of literature widening the traditional philosophical canon and taking women in history from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds seriously as philosophers. As well as providing detailed accounts of various women philosophers in nineteenth century America, Rogers' work constitutes a compelling argument for re-evaluating how we think about what a philosopher looks like and does; and that by widening our view of philosophy and philosophers we thereby open up the possibility of engaging with important and diverse thinkers hitherto overlooked.” ―Charlotte Alderwick, Associate Head of Department and Senior Lecturer in Philosophy, University of the West of England, UK