The Remarkable Life and Career of Ellen Swallow Richards: Pioneer in Science and Technology

Author’s Note

It was been an honor to have written this biography of Ellen Henrietta Swallow Richards. We are first cousins, three generations apart. Her grandfather, Archelaus, is my great-great-great grandfather. Ellen’s cousin Annie, with whom she was so close, is my great-great aunt. Thankfully, Annie saved (and later shared) the letters written to her by Ellen.

For many years Ellen’s story has fascinated me, for she is a superb example of what a determined person can accomplish. She did not use her humble beginnings as an excuse for anything; she worked incredibly hard and kept her focus upon her goals. The number of her accomplishments is astounding.

The first biography of Ellen was written by her friend Carolyn L. Hunt and was published a year after Ellen’s death. Robert Richards held the copyright. The book was intended as a memorial to Ellen. Hunt had access to Ellen’s papers, photos, speeches, letters, and diaries. It is for this reason that much of the information about Ellen’s early life comes from Carolyn L. Hunt. I have been told that Melvil Dewey requested that the research material be sent to him so that he might have access to it and serve as editor of the biography. Unfortunately, it seems that not everything was returned to the Richards and Swallow families, and that some of the text of that biography was altered to reflect Mr. Dewey’s slant.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to tell Ellen’s story. She was remarkable in so many ways. One has to wonder ...