Clara Barton: Founder of the American Red Cross

Signature Lives

by Barbara A. Somervill

The Civil War (18611865) divided the people of the United States. Torn over the issues of slavery and states rights, the North and the South battled against each other in the deadliest American conflict ever fought. When the war ended, the country worked to unite and heal. Some of the people who lived and served during the Civil War era are among the nations most beloved heroes. From a young age, Clara Barton wanted to help people. Her kind nature led her to the battlefield to care for the wounded soldiers of the Civil War. After the war, she eventually traveled to Europe, where she encountered the International Red Cross. Seeing the impact it had providing aid in Europe, Barton worked to create a similar organization in the United States. Her persistence and determination were rewarded when she founded the American Red Cross.

112 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Barbara Somervill is a professional writer who has been a magazine editor, journalist, and advertising copywriter for more than twenty years. Somervill is a member of the National Association of Female Executives, the Association of Women in Communications, and the International Documentary Association.

Reviews

[Syndel D.]

I have always had an interest in Clara Barton so when I saw this book and found out about the biography unit we were assigned involved reading a biography, I knew this is what I wanted to read about. I truly do feel as if Clara is a very inspiring person and her whole life story and work ethic really is amazing.

[Brynn]

This biography does a disservice to this extraordinary woman and all young adults who want to learn about her. It skips large portions of her life, despite the author's reference to Barton's journals that chronicle her life. It does not delve at all into her motivations for becoming a school teacher in Massachusetts, moving to Washington D.C. by herself to work in the patent office, or going from there to working on the battle fields of the civil war. It never explicitly states that she is working only with Union soldiers on the fields, nor does it give details as to the difficulties she faced doing work there as opposed to in the hospitals where women and nurses were supposed to be. The book lacks the flow and personal details that make biographies interesting and worth reading.

[Adriel]

Well designed and written. This book is an easy read, but still makes a very comprehensive view of the life of a busy, driven woman who was eager to make the world a better place. Good pictures and back matter.