Women Who Kept the Lights: An Illustrated History of Female Lighthouse Keepers - Softcover

Mary Louise Clifford; J. Candace Clifford

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0963641247 ISBN 13: 9780963641243

Publisher: Cypress Communications, 2001

Synopsis

Hundreds of American women have kept the lamps burning in lighthouses since Hannah Thomas tended Gurnet Point Light in Plymouth, Massachusetts, while her husband was away fighting in the War for Independence. Women Who Kept the Lights details the careers of 30 intrepid women who were official keepers of light stations on the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific Coasts, on Lake Champlain and the Great Lakes, staying at their posts for periods ranging from a few years to half a century. Most of these women served in the 19th century, when the keeper lit a number of lamps in the tower at dusk, replenished their fuel or replaced them at midnight, and every morning polished the lamps and lanterns to keep their lights shining brightly.

Several of these stalwart women were commended for their courage in remaining at their posts through severe storms and hurricanes. A few went to the rescue of seamen when ships capsized or were wrecked. Their varied stories are brought together here for the first time, drawing a multifaceted picture of a unique profession in our maritime history.

About this title

From Library Journal:

Danger and loneliness were common themes in the lives of women lighthouse keepers in the United States from 1776 to the mid-20th century. Most were appointed to succeed a deceased husband or father, and most appear to have borne the risks with fortitude and outright heroism. While the challenges and duties these women faced were similar, the authors have captured the uniqueness of each woman's experience. They compensate for the scanty biographical record with detailed descriptions of the lighthouses and keeper's quarters. The style is documentary, carried by the charm of each keeper's own story. Of 170 pages of text, 72 pages include illustrations (not seen). Recommended for general readers and for public and school libraries as well as academic collections in maritime and women's history.
- Linda V. Carlisle, Southern Illinois Univ. at Edwardsville
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cypress Communications
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0963641247
• ISBN 13: 9780963641243
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 242