Jessie Benton Fremont : a biography /

Jessie Benton Fremont's life (1824-1902) was dominated by two of the most powerful and controversial men of her time: her father, Senator Thomas Hart Benton, and her husband, the mercurial patron of California and Civil War general, John Charles Fremont. This fine, gracefully written, thoroughly researched biography portrays Fremont and her times, as it traces the development and life work of a 19th-century woman who was clever, passionate, ambitious, and unconventional-all dangerous qualities for women of that period. After 1845, settlers of the western frontier carried with them Jessie and John Fremont's report of his exploration; it became a powerful tool that encouraged thousands to head west. Herr's biography covers early surveys of the American west, the acquisition of California and the influence of the gold rush, the Fremonts' tumultuous political career, their participation in the Civil War, and their fruitless search for lasting wealth. The author particularly highlights behind-the-scenes participation forced upon women who could find public recognition only through the lives of their husbands. Her portrayal of Jessie Fremont's unceasing vicarious attempts to experience life to the fullest clearly reveals the frustrations inherent in the world of women before the turn of the century. Herr writes with force and clarity. Good notes, bibliography, index; suitable for public and academic libraries at all levels.-V.T. Avery, Northern Arizona University

Jessie Benton Frmont was a woman of singular intelligence, courage, and vision. Operating warily within and around the severe constraints placed upon nineteenth-century women, she attempted to fulfill grandiose ambitions for herself and for her husband. The spirited daughter of a prominent politician, Jessie eloped at the age of 17 with scientist-explorer John Charles Frmont. Her husband's early exploits provided an outlet for her abundant energies and talents, and she eagerly penned best-selling accounts of his western explorations and adventures. Later she became an ardent ally in his ill-fated political and military campaigns, venturing boldly into those male-dominated arenas. When her husband's reputation collapsed and the Frmont fortunes waned, Jessie supported her family by writing a series of acclaimed articles and stories. An earnest and de-[FJ]tailed biography of a remarkable nineteenth-century American woman. Notes; bibliography; to be indexed. MF. 973.6'092 (B) Fremont, Jesse Benton / Fremont, John Charles / Pioneers U.S. Biography / Women pioneers U.S. Biography [OCLC] 86-26729

Fremont (1824-1902) was the daughter of Democratic politician Thomas Hart Benton and the wife of John Charles Fremont, explorer of California, first Republican party presidential candidate, and Union general. Her fascinating life is worthy of a full biography in part because of her own exploits, but more because her story shows the corrosive effect on women of dividing men and women into separate spheres. She married John Fremont at 17, and for the next 60 years devoted her talents to promoting his career and reputation: as his ghostwriter, press agent, chief of staff, as well as mother to their five children. Unfortunately, John was not the man of destiny she imagined, but instead morose, vainglorious, unfaithful. Her devotion eventually broke her family and her health. Impressively researched, Herr's splendid study is highly recommended for most academic and public libraries. James W. Oberly, History Dept., Univ. of Wisconsin, Eau Claire (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A biography of the woman who previously was mentioned only in passing in histories of her famous father, Democratic Senator Thomas Hart Benton, and her famous husband, explorer, gold-rush millionaire, and Presidential candidate John Fremont. Herr paints a detailed account of the politics of the day ""to suggest what it was like to be talented, ambitious and female in nineteenth-century America."" Jessie deserved her own biography, Herr contends, as well as her own career and achievements. She had all the intelligence, passion and vitality of the successful men of her time--or any time. But, being a woman, she found the only acceptable outlet for her energy in her husband's careers. It was she who wrote her husband's account of his explorations in the western territories. It was she who wrote the stories that would help immortalize her husband's guide, Kit Carson. Only later, when the Fremonts desperately needed money, would Jessie write in earnest. She enjoyed family friends like Andrew Jackson, Davy Crockett, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster and Francis Scott Key. Jessie was ""accorded the place a son would have had"" in her father's eyes as a child but denied the creative outlet for her talents as a woman. Little wonder then that she found satisfaction in her husband's public life. When the crowds shouted, ""Free speech, free press, free soil, free men, Fremont!,"" they also cried out, ""Give us Jessie!"" She was the first woman to be active in a Presidential campaign, and by all accounts she relished the role. Of course, not everyone enjoyed her outspokenness, prompting her to remark, ""Strange, isn't it, that when a man expresses a conviction fearlessly, he is reported as having made a trenchant and forceful statement, but when a woman speaks thus earnestly, she is reported as a lady who has lost her temper."" Will find its best audience with feminists and academics. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.