The Remarkable Mrs. Ripley: The Life of Sarah Alden Bradford Ripley

by Joan W. Goodwin

A contemporary of Emerson, Hawthorne, the Alcotts, and other New England Renaissance figures, Sarah Alden Bradford Ripley (1793-1867) is largely unknown to today's readers. Although she left no published works, Sarah is frequently mentioned in letters and journals written by her fellow intellectuals. She was a self-educated classical scholar who was well versed in languages and the sciences, ran a boarding school with her Unitarian minister husband to prepare boys for Harvard College, and raised seven children. Legend has it that she simultaneously rocked a cradle, shelled peas, heard one boy recite his Latin and another, his Greek.

In this first biography of the remarkable Mrs. Ripley, Joan W. Goodwin draws on both Sarah's letters and the writings of her contemporaries to paint as full a picture as possible of a compelling figure known until now only as a literary footnote. Goodwin reveals the inner drama of a woman's lonely struggle to reconcile the liberal Christian world view with her own increasing skepticism, and her traditional domestic role with the pursuit of intellectual attainments. The author's skillful presentation of primary materials allows Sarah to speak to the reader in her own voice, particularly through her correspondence with Mary Moody Emerson and Abigail Allyn Francis, lending insight into the anguish that shaped much of her life.

This is a captivating story that will appeal to historians and general readers alike.

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 16, 1998

Reviews

[Laurabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

07/25/24

Basically the same thoughts as last time. Quite enjoyable.


08/10/22

After visiting the Old Manse in Concord, MA I was determined to do more research regarding one of it's occupants: Sarah Ripley.

Joan's biography covers the life of Sarah Ripley, wife of the Unitarian minister, Samuel Ripley of Concord, MA.

Definitely a book for the few nerds out there (myself included) who have developed a strange fascination with all things Old Manse. The author wrote the exact book I wanted, full of quotes and references to letters/religious discussions/family and friend details/and educational pursuits/interests of Sarah.

She taught herself multiple languages, read the classics like a maniac, gave birth to nine children, helped run a boys school and while also tutoring Harvard dropouts during the summer.

The book makes reference to several famous historic figures of the time, so doing some research of the time period would definitely help in understanding the biography more.

A great bedtime read.

[Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the only full-length biography of a truly incredible woman. Sarah Alden Bradford Ripley was a woman who found a role for herself that somehow balanced the roles of minister's wife, mother of eight, and intellectual woman. Living in the Boston area in the early nineteenth century, Mrs. Ripley was one of Ralph Waldo Emerson's first tutors, and she had lengthy discussions with many of New England's nineteenth century greats including Mary Moody Emerson and William Ellery Channing. At a time when Latin was considered unnecessary for a woman to learn, Mrs. Ripley mastered it as one of eight languages she spoke fluently by the time she passed away. Joan Goodwin's biography is extensively researched, and draws heavily on letters from the time to tell Mrs. Ripley's story in the words of herself and people who knew her.