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Heroes of Their Time: The Hamilton sisters

Growing up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the four daughters of Montgomery and Gertrude Hamilton all led significant lives, contributing to society. This course will focus on the two who achieved the greatest distinction: Alice and Edith. Alice Hamilton became a physician, research scientist, and author, doing groundbreaking work in the field of occupational health. Her appointment to teach in the Harvard Medical School made her the first woman to join the Harvard faculty. Her sister Edith became a classicist, still known for her Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes (1942). In later life Alice and her sister Margaret lived together in Hadlyme, CT. Although Edith and Alice exhibited abilities and accomplishments that far exceeded those of the average person of their time, as women they encountered many obstacles in gaining recognition. This course will explore their fascinating lives, including the period in which they became acquaintances of William Gillette.

Instructor: Vicky McCarthy

Three sessions, Mondays, Sept. 14, 21, 28, at the Wasch Center, and one fieldtrip, Sat., Oct. 10