Clara Barton Biography

Clara Barton

Clara Barton, known as an American humanitarian, the “Angel of the

Battlefield,” and known for being the American Red Cross founder

accomplished many things during her life. Throughout her long commitment of

service, Clara achieved honor as a teacher, battlefield nurse, lecturer, and

founder of the American Red Cross. Through her many years of work, Clara

made a huge impact on America that can still be felt at present times.

Clara was born Clarissa Harlowe Barton on Christmas Day of 1821 in

North Oxford, Massachusetts. Her father, Captain Stephen Barton, and mother,

Sarah Barton, raised her on a farm along with her two brothers, David and

Stephen, and two sisters, Dorothy, and Sally. Most of Clara’s education came

from learning from her brothers and sisters; they were all older than her, so they

had acquired a lot of information to share with her. Dorothy taught her

spelling, Stephen helped her to understand arithmetic, she learned geography

from Sally, and became more athletic with the coaching of David. With the vast

interest her family gave into educating her, at age four Clara could already spell

multi-syllable words. Her early education set the pace for her to achieve

academic success in formal schooling.

. In addition to getting a good start in academics, Clara also exhibited the

skills it takes to be a nurse as a child. When Clara was young, she played make

believe as a nurse and nursed pets back to help if they got hurt or were ill. At

age eleven, Clara received real life training as a nurse when one of her brothers

tragically fell off the roof of their barn and needed Clara to take care of him for

two years. Clara’s mom also contributed to Clara’s ability to perform ...

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...live a more simple life. Clara relaxed

and enjoyed horseback riding and kept up with the times for eight years until

she died from complications of a cold in 1912 at age 91. Her body was then

taken back to her hometown of Oxford where she was buried. Clara Barton has

since been remembered for her leadership and philanthropic accomplishments.

Clara’s life mission can be summed up in her own words, “You must never so

much as think whether you like it or not, whether it is bearable or not: you must

never think of anything except the need, and how to meet it.”

Bibliography:

"Clara Barton," MIcrosoft Encarta Encyclopedia 99. 1993-1998 Microsoft Corporation.

Smith and Jeffers. Gallant Women, New York, 1968.

National Women's Hall of Fame 1998.

Sahlman, Rachael. "Clara Barton." Spectrum Home and School Magazine. IncWell DMG.