Clara Barton - The Life of a Nursing Pioneer

Clara Barton was born in North Oxford, Massachusetts, on Christmas Day, 1821. Her parents were Captain Stephen Barton and Sarah Stone Barton. Captain Stephen Barton was a politician, horse breeder and a farmer. Barton received the majority of her education from her two sisters and brothers, as she was the youngest among her siblings.

Barton made an impression at a young age already, having achieved some accomplishments by the time she was a young woman. When she was only 17 years of age, Barton was established as a teacher. Then, only six years later, she founded her own school. However, after spending the next 10 years in teaching, she determined that a career change was in order. As a result, she enrolled at the Liberal Institute in Clinton, New York, where studied both languages as well as writing.

Barton became one of the most honored women in American history for her courage, determination, and humanitarianism. She risked her life repeatedly in order to bring supplies and support to soldiers in the line of fire during the Civil War. Her humanitarian work led to the formation of the Red Cross, which was founded with the mission of helping people in need. In addition, Barton was an early advocate for women’s rights, which would eventually lead to the suffragette movement in gaining the right to vote for women.

Barton was a remarkable woman and is one of the pioneers of nursing. To learn more about her life and work, we have collected some of the best resources for you to read. We hope you get a better understanding of one of the most well-known people in nursing.