Summer on the Lakes, in 1843 (ePub)

Margaret Fuller, born Sarah Margaret Fuller on May 23, 1810, in Cambridgeport, Massachusetts, was an American journalist, critic, and women's rights advocate associated with the American transcendentalist movement. Her considerable intellectual gifts led to her becoming the first full-time female book reviewer in journalism and the first woman allowed to use the library at Harvard College. Her seminal work, 'Woman in the Nineteenth Century' (1845), is considered one of the earliest works of feminist philosophy in which she argued for equality and women's empowerment. Fuller's 'Summer on the Lakes, in 1843' stands as an insightful travelogue that reflects her keen observations and narrative mastery during a journey through the Great Lakes. This work indicates her interest in the American frontier and includes reflections on literature, philosophy, and social issues, indicative of Fuller's deep connection with transcendentalist themes and her progressive outlook on society. As an editor for 'The Dial,' a transcendentalist literary magazine, she became a critical player in its development and influence. Sadly, Fuller's life was cut short at the age of 40 when she died in a shipwreck in 1850. Yet, her work laid a foundation for succeeding feminists and thinkers, ensuring her legacy as a leading figure in American literature and the early feminist movement. Her contributions continue to be studied for their intellectual breadth and depth, demonstrating her prowess in literary criticism, social commentary, and provocative thought.