'Margaret Fuller (Marchesa Ossoli)' Summary

Julia Ward Howe's biography of Margaret Fuller provides a comprehensive look at the life and work of this influential figure in American intellectual and feminist history. The book traces Fuller's journey from her early years as a pioneering journalist and critic to her later years as a prominent advocate for women's rights. Howe highlights Fuller's intellectual development, her involvement in the transcendentalist movement, and her groundbreaking work on women's issues. The book also explores Fuller's experiences in Europe, particularly in Italy, where she was a passionate advocate for social reform and witnessed the turbulent political scene. However, the biography culminates in a tragic note with the account of Fuller's death in a shipwreck off the coast of Fire Island, New York, while returning from Italy with her husband and infant son. Howe's detailed account illuminates not only Fuller's personal life but also her significant contributions to American literature, journalism, and the fight for women's equality.