Clara Barton

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History & Society

Clara Barton

American humanitarian

Also known as: Clarissa Harlowe Barton

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Apr 8, 2024 • Article History

Clara Barton

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Category: History & Society

In full:: Clarissa Harlowe Barton

Born:: Dec. 25, 1821, Oxford, Mass., U.S.

Died:: April 12, 1912, Glen Echo, Md. (aged 90)

Founder:: American Red Cross

Role In:: American Civil War; First Battle of Bull Run; Franco-German War

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Clara Barton (born Dec. 25, 1821, Oxford, Mass., U.S.—died April 12, 1912, Glen Echo, Md.) was the founder of the American Red Cross. Barton was educated at home and began teaching at age 15. She attended the Liberal Institute at Clinton, N.Y. (1850–51). In 1852 in Bordentown, N.J., she established a free school that soon became so large that the townsmen would no longer allow a woman to run it. Rather than subordinate herself to a male principal, Barton resigned. She was then employed by the U.S. Patent Office in Washington, D.C., from 1854 to 1857 and again in 1860. ...(100 of 499 words)

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