Harriet Elisabeth Beecher was born June 14, 1811 in Litchfield, CT to the Rev. Lyman Beecher (1775-1863) and Roxanna Foote Beecher (1775- 1816). The Beecher children were expected by their parents to shape the world. Her brothers became very influential ministers, her older sister lead to the education of women, and her younger sister helped founding the National Women's Suffrage Association. Harriet's purpose was writing and exposing the issue of slavery. As an adult, Harriet was a student then a teacher at Hartford Female Seminary. There she grew greatly as a writer. Stowe's talent for writing let her speak out. She contracted with The National Era in 1851 to make a novel that would show readers what slavery really is like. It was predicted to only have 3 installments. Surprisingly though, there ended up being more than 40. In the summer of 1849, Harriet's son, Samuel Charles Stowe, died of cholera. The pain of this loss helped Harriet write Uncle Tom's Cabin as she could relate with slave mothers who lost their children because of trade. As she grew older, Harriet's family moved to Florida. She loved the climate and even wrote Palmetto Leaves from being inspired by the environment.
Timeline~
June 14, 18- Harriet is born
1816- Harriet's Mother dies of tuberculosis
1820- Harriet is affected by Lyman Beecher's preaching against slavery
1824- Harriet joins Hartford female seminary
1832- The Beecher family moves to Ohio
1836- Harriet marries Calvin Stowe and gives birth to twins Eliza and Harriet Stowe
1838- Harriet gives birth to Henry Ellis Stowe
1840- Harriet gives birth to Frederick William Stowe
1843- Harriet gives birth to Georgiana May Stowe. Harriet's collection The Mayflower is published
1848- Harriet gives birth to Samuel Charles Stowe, who later dies of cholera
1850- Charles Edward Stowe, Harriet's last child, is born. Harriet is also upset by the Fugitive Slave Act
March 2, 1851- Harriet begins to have ideas for Uncle Tom's Cabin
1852- Uncle Tom's Cabin is published by Harriet
1853- A Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin is published by Harriet to rebut critics
1856- Dred, A Tale of the Great Dismal Swamp is published by Harriet
December 20, 1860- South Carolina secedes
April 12, 1861- The Civil War begins
January 1, 1863- Emancipation Proclamation is issued
1864- Stowe moves to Connecticut
December 6, 1865- Slavery is outlawed
1873- The Stowes move to Hartford, Connecticut. Just across the street from Mark Twain!
July 1, 1896- Stowe dies in her sleep
Timeline~
June 14, 18- Harriet is born
1816- Harriet's Mother dies of tuberculosis
1820- Harriet is affected by Lyman Beecher's preaching against slavery
1824- Harriet joins Hartford female seminary
1832- The Beecher family moves to Ohio
1836- Harriet marries Calvin Stowe and gives birth to twins Eliza and Harriet Stowe
1838- Harriet gives birth to Henry Ellis Stowe
1840- Harriet gives birth to Frederick William Stowe
1843- Harriet gives birth to Georgiana May Stowe. Harriet's collection The Mayflower is published
1848- Harriet gives birth to Samuel Charles Stowe, who later dies of cholera
1850- Charles Edward Stowe, Harriet's last child, is born. Harriet is also upset by the Fugitive Slave Act
March 2, 1851- Harriet begins to have ideas for Uncle Tom's Cabin
1852- Uncle Tom's Cabin is published by Harriet
1853- A Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin is published by Harriet to rebut critics
1856- Dred, A Tale of the Great Dismal Swamp is published by Harriet
December 20, 1860- South Carolina secedes
April 12, 1861- The Civil War begins
January 1, 1863- Emancipation Proclamation is issued
1864- Stowe moves to Connecticut
December 6, 1865- Slavery is outlawed
1873- The Stowes move to Hartford, Connecticut. Just across the street from Mark Twain!
July 1, 1896- Stowe dies in her sleep