Julia Ward Howe

She crafted new lyrics for an existing tune. The melody and marching rhythm came from 'John Brown's Body,' a well-known Union Army song. Howe's contribution was completely fresh — the verses that begin with 'mine eyes have seen the glory' — which added a grand, almost biblical significance to the piece. The music was already familiar; she provided the words that ensured its enduring legacy.

Four dollars. The Atlantic Monthly published it in February 1862, and that was the fee. It eventually became one of the most widely sung pieces of American writing ever created. She had a philosophical view about it — the poem's reach was more important to her than the payment — but it's still a noteworthy detail.

Howe wrote it in 1870 in reaction to the devastation of the Franco-Prussian War. It called on women from different countries to unite against war — a pacifist, political statement designed to prevent governments from sending their sons and husbands to fight. The Mother's Day holiday that became commercialized in the early twentieth century, complete with cards and gifts, is almost unrecognizable compared to her original vision.

Her abolitionist beliefs developed gradually instead of appearing all at once. Her husband, Samuel, was actively engaged in antislavery efforts—he was one of the 'Secret Six' who backed John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry—and their social circle in Boston kept her connected to the heart of the movement. By the time the Civil War arrived, her dedication was strong and well-known.

Substantial. She co-founded the American Woman Suffrage Association in 1869 with Lucy Stone, edited the *Woman's Journal*, and dedicated decades to lecturing and organizing. In the latter half of the nineteenth century, she became one of the most visible figures in the movement, although history often remembers her primarily for the hymn.

Quite a lot. She published multiple poetry collections, wrote plays, produced travel writing about Cuba and Greece, and penned a biography of Margaret Fuller. Throughout her life, she also edited journals and contributed essays on philosophy and women's rights. While the hymn has overshadowed her other work, that's a real shame—her broader body of work reflects a restless, wide-ranging intellect.

In 1908, she made history by becoming the first woman elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters, marking an important recognition in that era. She also gained considerable acclaim in public life — as she grew older, she received honorary degrees, tributes, and a degree of fame that honored her activism alongside her writing.