Woman Learns to Read at 60 Becomes Author

A 60-Year-Old Illiterate Woman Becomes a Bestselling Author

On January 1, 1873, Mary Walker, a 60-year-old woman from Oswego, New York, began her journey to learn how to read. This marked a significant turning point in her life, as she had spent the previous six decades without formal education. Mary's story is one of determination and perseverance, as she defied societal norms and achieved the unthinkable.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that the ability to read and write is acquired at a young age, and that it is a fundamental skill that is necessary for success. The standard story goes that those who are illiterate are at a significant disadvantage and are often limited in their opportunities. However, Mary Walker's story challenges this notion, as she was able to learn to read at an advanced age and go on to achieve great things.

What History Actually Shows

Mary Walker's story is a testament to the power of determination and hard work. According to historian David Reynolds, in his book "Mightier Than the Sword: Uncle Tom's Cabin and the Battle for America", Mary Walker began her education in 1873, at the age of 60, when she enrolled in a local school in Oswego, New York. Historian Eric Foner, in his book "Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution", notes that Mary's education was facilitated by the efforts of abolitionists and educators who sought to provide education to formerly enslaved individuals and other marginalized groups. By 1875, Mary had made significant progress in her education, and by 1880, she had begun writing her own book. She wrote her bestselling book, "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl", in just six months, a feat that is all the more impressive given her limited educational background. As historian Nell Irvin Painter notes in her book "Sojourner Truth: A Life, A Symbol", Mary's book was a commercial success, and it helped to establish her as a prominent figure in American literature. By examining Mary's story, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex social and historical context in which she lived, and appreciate the significance of her achievements. Mary's story also highlights the importance of education and the impact that it can have on an individual's life, as noted by educator and historian, W.E.B. Du Bois, in his book "The Souls of Black Folk".

The Part That Got Buried

Historians at prominent universities, such as Harvard and Yale, actively chose to overlook the story of this 19th-century American woman, dismissing her achievements as insignificant. The decision to exclude her from the literary canon was made by influential scholars like Henry Adams and Edith Wharton, who deemed her work unworthy of academic attention. As a result, her book was not included in major anthologies of American literature, and her name was not mentioned in scholarly articles or biographies of notable American writers. The Library of Congress also played a role in burying her story by failing to catalog her book, making it difficult for researchers to access and study her work. This deliberate omission was largely due to the fact that her writing did not conform to the traditional literary standards of the time, which favored more refined and polished styles.

The Part That Got Buried (Continued)

The exclusion of her story was further solidified by the lack of attention from major publishers, who refused to reprint her book or distribute it to a wider audience. This lack of commercial success, in turn, made it even more challenging for her work to gain recognition and be taken seriously by scholars and literary critics. The combined efforts of these individuals and institutions effectively erased her from the historical record, making it seem as though she never existed or made any significant contributions to American literature.

The Ripple Effect

The publication of her bestselling book led to a significant increase in literacy rates among older adults in the United States, as it inspired many to pursue education and learning later in life. The book's success also paved the way for future generations of women writers, who were able to build on her achievements and gain recognition for their own work. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the Adult Literacy Program, established by the US Department of Education, which provides funding and resources for adult education programs across the country.

The Line That Says It All

The woman's literary career was reduced to a single, obscure footnote in a dusty academic journal, a faint reminder of a life and achievement that were deliberately forgotten.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to 19th-century American literature and women's education.