The Queen of American Agriculture: A Biography of Virginia Claypool Meredith

Authors

Frederick Whitford, Purdue University
Andrew G. Martin, Purdue University
Phyllis Mattheis, Historian

Files

Description

Virginia Claypool Meredith's role in directly managing the affairs of a large and prosperous farm in east-central Indiana opened doors that were often closed to women in late nineteenth century America. Her status allowed her to campaign for the education of women, in general, and rural women, in particular. While striving to change society's expectations for women, she also gave voice to the important role of women in the home. A lifetime of dedication made Virginia Meredith "the most remarkable woman in Indiana" and the "Queen of American Agriculture." Meredith was also an integral part of the history of Purdue University. She was the first woman appointed to serve on the university's board of trustees, had a residence hall named in her honor, and worked with her adopted daughter, Mary L. Matthews, in creating the School of Home Economics, the predecessor of today's College of Consumer and Family Sciences.

ISBN

9781557539274

Publication Date

Summer 7-15-2008

Publisher

Purdue University Press

City

West Lafayette

Keywords

independent woman, women's rights, rural, Chicago World's Fair, Indiana, Hoosiers, farmers, farm management, agriculture

Disciplines

Agricultural Education | Agriculture

Comments

Open access publication of this title is supported by the Big Ten Academic Alliance.

Recommended Citation

Whitford, Frederick; Martin, Andrew G.; and Mattheis, Phyllis, "The Queen of American Agriculture: A Biography of Virginia Claypool Meredith" (2008). The Founders Series. 1.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/founders/1