Charles Knowlton

Charles Knowlton

Charles Knowlton (May 10, 1800 – February 20, 1850) was an American physician, atheist, and writer. He is best known for his work in the field of birth control and for his book Fruits of Philosophy, which was one of the first publications to provide practical information on contraception.

Early Life and Education

Charles Knowlton was born in Templeton, Massachusetts. He attended local schools and later studied medicine at the Dartmouth Medical School and the Harvard Medical School. He graduated from Dartmouth in 1824 and from Harvard in 1825.

Medical Career

After completing his education, Knowlton began practicing medicine in Hawley, Massachusetts. He was known for his progressive views on medical practices and his advocacy for birth control, which was a controversial topic at the time.

Contributions to Birth Control

In 1832, Knowlton published Fruits of Philosophy, a book that provided detailed information on various methods of contraception. The book was groundbreaking and faced significant opposition from religious and conservative groups. Despite this, it played a crucial role in the early birth control movement and influenced later activists such as Margaret Sanger.

Legal Issues

Knowlton's advocacy for birth control led to several legal challenges. He was arrested and convicted for obscenity in 1832 due to the content of Fruits of Philosophy. Despite these challenges, he continued to promote his ideas and remained a vocal advocate for reproductive rights.

Personal Life

Charles Knowlton married Tabitha Smith in 1827, and they had three children. He was known for his atheistic beliefs and often wrote about his views on religion and science.

Death and Legacy

Charles Knowlton died on February 20, 1850, in Winchendon, Massachusetts. His work laid the foundation for future developments in the field of birth control and reproductive health. Fruits of Philosophy continued to be influential long after his death, contributing to the eventual acceptance of contraception in society.

See Also

• Birth control
• Margaret Sanger
• Reproductive rights
• History of contraception

External Links

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