# Clara Barton

> American Civil War nurse (1821–1912)

**Wikidata**: [Q188039](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q188039)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clara_Barton)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/clara-barton

## Summary
Clara Barton was a pioneering American nurse, teacher, and philanthropist best known for founding the American Red Cross in 1881. Born on December 25, 1821, she served as a nurse during the American Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War, earning recognition for her humanitarian work and advocacy for wounded soldiers. Her efforts established lasting frameworks for disaster relief and nursing practices in the United States.

## Biography
- **Born**: December 25, 1821  
- **Nationality**: United States  
- **Known for**: Founding the American Red Cross; nursing during the American Civil War and Franco-Prussian War  
- **Employer(s)**: American Red Cross, Daughters of the American Revolution  
- **Field(s)**: Nursing, philanthropy, education  

## Contributions
- **Founded the American Red Cross (1881)**: Established the organization to provide humanitarian aid during disasters and conflicts, shaping modern disaster relief systems.  
- **Civil War Nursing (1861–1865)**: Organized medical supplies and cared for wounded soldiers, earning the nickname "Angel of the Battlefield."  
- **Franco-Prussian War Service (1870–1871)**: Assisted civilians and soldiers in Europe, expanding her international humanitarian efforts.  
- **Diarist and Author**: Documented her experiences in journals and writings, preserving historical accounts of wartime nursing.  
- **Clara Barton National Historic Site**: Her home in Glen Echo, Maryland, became a museum commemorating her legacy.  

## FAQs
**What was Clara Barton’s most significant achievement?**  
She founded the American Red Cross in 1881, creating a permanent organization for disaster relief and emergency response in the U.S.  

**Where did Clara Barton serve as a nurse?**  
She provided care during the American Civil War (1861–1865) and the Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871), working in field hospitals and battlefronts.  

**What organizations was Clara Barton affiliated with?**  
She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and established the American Red Cross, leading it for over two decades.  

**How was Clara Barton recognized for her work?**  
She was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, the New Jersey Hall of Fame, and the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame for her humanitarian contributions.  

## Why They Matter
Clara Barton revolutionized humanitarian aid in the U.S. by founding the American Red Cross, which became a model for disaster response and military nursing. Her advocacy for equitable care during the Civil War and her international relief efforts set precedents for modern nursing ethics and organizational philanthropy. Without her leadership, the infrastructure for large-scale disaster relief in the U.S. would have developed more slowly, leaving communities vulnerable during crises.

## Notable For
- **Founder of the American Red Cross (1881)**  
- **"Angel of the Battlefield" during the Civil War**  
- **First woman to hold a federal clerkship in the U.S.**  
- **Inductee in multiple halls of fame**: National Women’s, New Jersey, and Maryland  
- **Diarist and author** of wartime experiences  
- **Namesake of Barton County, Kansas**  

## Body
### Early Life and Education  
Clara Barton was born on December 25, 1821, in Oxford, Massachusetts. She pursued a career in education early in life, teaching in local schools and later becoming one of the first women to hold a federal clerkship in the U.S. government (1854).  

### Nursing Career  
During the **American Civil War (1861–1865)**, Barton organized medical supplies and provided direct care to soldiers, risking her life to deliver aid to frontlines. Her efforts earned her the nickname "Angel of the Battlefield." After the war, she continued her humanitarian work during the **Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871)**, assisting civilians and soldiers in Europe.  

### Founding the American Red Cross  
In 1881, Barton established the **American Red Cross**, advocating for its approval by the International Committee of the Red Cross. She led the organization for 23 years, mobilizing relief efforts during disasters such as floods, hurricanes, and the Johnstown Flood (1889).  

### Writing and Legacy  
Barton documented her experiences in diaries and writings, publishing accounts of her wartime work. Her home in Glen Echo, Maryland, became the **Clara Barton National Historic Site**, preserving artifacts and records of her life.  

### Affiliations and Recognition  
A member of the **Daughters of the American Revolution**, Barton received numerous posthumous honors, including induction into the **National Women’s Hall of Fame** and the **Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame**. Her legacy extends to geographic namesakes, such as **Barton County, Kansas**, established in 1867.  

### Death and Impact  
Barton died on April 12, 1912, at the age of 90. Her work laid the foundation for modern nursing and disaster relief, influencing generations of humanitarians and ensuring the American Red Cross remains a critical institution in U.S. history.

## References

1. The Feminist Companion to Literature in English
2. Barton, Clara (ACAB 1900)
3. Library of Congress Name Authority File
4. [Source](https://arago.si.edu/category_2028807.html)
5. A Woman of the Century
6. Genealogics
7. BnF authorities
8. [Source](http://armenianhouse.org/barton/red-cross/pages-1-2.html)
9. [Source](https://arcgbw.wordpress.com/2014/05/21/on-this-day-in-1881-clara-barton-founded-the-american-red-cross/)
10. [Source](https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/clara-barton)
11. Makers of Nursing History
12. [Source](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Woman_of_the_Century/Clara_Barton)
13. [Source](http://armenianhouse.org/barton/red-cross/red-cross.html)
14. International Standard Name Identifier
15. American Women Writers
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17. [Source](https://www.womenofthehall.org/inductee/clara-barton/)
18. [Source](https://njhalloffame.org/hall-of-famers/2008-inductees/clara-barton/)
19. [Source](https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/educ/exhibits/womenshall/html/whflist.html)
20. Virtual International Authority File
21. [Source](https://www.loc.gov/collections/clara-barton-papers/about-this-collection)
22. [Source](https://crowd.loc.gov/campaigns/clara-barton-angel-of-the-battlefield/)
23. [Source](http://hdl.handle.net/1903.1/1749)
24. National Archives Catalog
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29. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
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34. Goodreads
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36. Quora
37. FactGrid