Before Vassar Opened is a historical book written by James Monroe Taylor, which explores the early history of women's higher education in America. The book is a contribution to the understanding of how women's education evolved and transformed over time. The focus of the book is on the period before the opening of Vassar College in 1865, which was the first women's college in the United States to offer a liberal arts education.The book begins by providing an overview of women's education in colonial America, where women were primarily educated at home or in private schools. The author then traces the development of women's education through the early 19th century, when a few women's colleges were established, such as Mount Holyoke and Oberlin. The book also examines the role of women's education in the abolitionist and suffrage movements.The author draws on a range of primary sources, including letters, diaries, and institutional records, to provide a detailed account of the challenges and opportunities faced by women seeking higher education. He also explores the attitudes of society towards women's education, including the belief that women were not intellectually capable of handling rigorous academic work.Overall, Before Vassar Opened is a comprehensive and insightful book that sheds light on the early history of women's higher education in America. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of education, women's history, and the evolution of gender roles in American society.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
