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10 Remarkable Facts About the Life of Clara Barton

The remarkable American humanitarian is one of the most notable people in the medical field. Clara Barton was dedicated to giving her life to help other people and thus made a huge impact on society. She was quite experienced in different fields in that she was a nurse, a teacher, an abolitionist and a women’s rights activist. Therefore, this article will explore the ten remarkable facts about this incredible woman to give the reader an insight into how amazing and critical she was in American history.

1 Barton’s early education

Clara Barton’s upbringing, at home played a role in shaping her character and fostering a love for learning. Being the youngest of five siblings she grew up in a household that held education and intellectual curiosity in regard. Her brothers and sisters recognized her intellect. Took it upon themselves to educate her in various subjects, including mathematics, literature and science. With the support and guidance of her family Clara Barton excelled in her studies showcasing her talents. Barton’s elder brother named David played a part in her education. He introduced her to literature. Inspired her to delve into subjects beyond the usual curriculum. David, a collector of books granted Clara access to his library fuelling her passion for reading and thirst for knowledge.

Under this mentorship, Clara Barton developed self-discipline, resilience and unwavering determination. These attributes would serve as the groundwork for her achievements as a humanitarian and a trailblazer in disaster relief efforts and public service.

2 She was known as the Angel of the Battlefield

A painting of Clara Barton. , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

While doing her humanitarian war during the American Civil War, Clara Barton was dubbed the Angel of the Battlefield. This is attributed to her work as a nurse where she would supply medical supplies to soldiers who were in the war and also care for them. Her dedication and fearlessness lead to her work being noticed and this gained a good reputation among the soldiers as they knew they could depend on her.  She was not fearful of the adverse conditions that were in the battlefield and instead braved the war to offer medical care to wounded soldiers which in turn earned her the respect of her fellow colleagues and soldiers.

3 She was very shy

While growing up, Clara Barton was a very shy child her mother worried and took her to a doctor named L. N. Fowler so that he could check out her brain and determine what was wrong. The phrenologist suggested that Barton should pick teaching as a career as it would help her with her shyness. Barton went ahead and became a teacher and was well-liked by the students as she encouraged them instead of resorting to harsh discipline.

4 Barton opened the first free public school in New Jersey

Clara barton. , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In 1852, Clara Barton had gone to New Jersey to visit her friend and when she got there, she realized that there were many children who had reached the school-going age but they were not in school as they came from poor backgrounds and thus could not afford to go to school. Clara then took it upon herself to help them and sought permission to start a free public school in Bordentown which she went ahead and did it. Within a span of a year, the school had several hundred students which is quite an achievement.

5 She did not study nursing formally

It is really surprising that Clara Barton did not attend any nursing course as she did her work during the American civil war quite well that she earned the nickname Angel of the Battlefield. During the civil war, nursing courses were not common and therefore Clara was a self-taught nurse. As she had already received education before volunteering in the war, it made it easier for her to learn how to care for wounded soldiers and ensure that they did not contract infections.

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6 Clara almost died on the Battlefield

While working as a nurse in the American Civil War, Clara Barton had a close call with death in that as she was helping one soldier sit upright so that he could drink some water, a bullet whizzed through the sleeve of her dress and tore it. She came out of the ordeal unarmed but the soldier that she was tending to was not as lucky as the bullet pierced his chest and killed him.

7 She founded the American Red Cross

A commemorative stamp for Clara Barton. , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Red Cross organisation is one of the most notable organisations when it comes to helping people who are affected by different types of crises. The American Chapter of the organisation came into existence courtesy of Clara Barton. While on vacation in Switzerland, Barton met with Dr. Louis Appa who was representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross and they got to talking. Dr. Louis convinced Barton of the importance of the organisation and that prompted her to start working towards ensuring that the American Chapter of the Red Cross was open. In 1881, Clara got her wish after he convinced President Chester Arthur of the importance of such an organisation.

8 She worked at the Patent Office

Clara Barton was truly a pioneer in that she was the first woman to work at the U.S. patent office. Even though she was charting into new territory, it was not very easy for her as her colleagues who were male bullied and abused her. She was even demoted to a lower position just because of her gender and was later fired after Buchanan who was pro slavery got elected as president and Clara Barton on the other hand was an outspoken abolitionist.

9 She was awarded for her efforts

A commemorative structure built in honour of Clara Barton. , , via Wikimedia Commons

Clara Barton made immense contributions to different fields in American society and she was awarded for her efforts. Some of the honours and awards that she received include the Cross of Military Merit which is equivalent to the modern-day Purple Heart. She was also awarded by different organisations and foreign governments for her work.

10 She supported women’s rights

Clara Barton went on a lecture tour in 1866 after the war to speak out for women’s suffrage. While on the tour, she met with women rights activists like Susan. B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton who supported the same cause as she. She advocated for women to be given the right to vote as other men and also encouraged other women and veterans to come out and fight for their rights.

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