The Reaper


When Judith Sargent Murray moved to Boston from Gloucester in 1794, she was already a well-known essayist and advocate for women's rights. Thomas Paine, the editor of the Boston newspaper the Federal Orrery, lost no time in asking Judith to write for him. She agreed, and created this new column. After the second installment appeared, however, she took "Mr. Paine" to task for his excessive editing. He ignored her, and she pulled the series.

The Reaper, No. I
[in which The Reaper explains her "plan" to her readers, published Monday, October 20, 1794]

The Reaper, No. II
[in which The Reaper learns a lesson in compassion from her daughter, published Monday, October 27, 1794]

The Reaper, No. III
[in which The Reaper describes an acquaintance she considers to be the ideal man, published Monday, November 17, 1794]

The Reaper, No. IV
[in which The Reaper reviews a recent evening she spent at the "theatre-hall" attending a children's dance recital, published Thursday, November 20, 1794]

The Reaper, No. V
[in which The Reaper cautions readers about the love of fame and its potentially damaging effects, published Thursday, November 27, 1794]


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