Harriet N. Austin

American physician and dress reform advocate

Harriet N. Austin

Harriet Newell Austin (1826–1891) was an American physician and a prominent advocate for dress reform in the 19th century. She is best known for her work in promoting the "American Costume," a style of dress that was designed to be healthier and more practical for women than the restrictive fashions of the time.

Early life and education

Harriet N. Austin was born in 1826 in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. She grew up in a period when women's roles were largely confined to the domestic sphere, and educational opportunities for women were limited. Despite these challenges, Austin pursued an education in medicine, a field that was just beginning to open up to women.

Medical career

Austin became a physician at a time when few women were in the profession. She was associated with the Glen Haven Water Cure, a health spa in Homer, New York, where she practiced hydropathy, a form of treatment that uses water for pain relief and treating illness. The Glen Haven Water Cure was part of a broader movement in the 19th century that emphasized natural remedies and healthy living.

Dress reform advocacy

Harriet N. Austin is perhaps best known for her advocacy of dress reform. She was a leading proponent of the "American Costume," which consisted of a short dress worn over trousers. This style was designed to be more comfortable and practical than the traditional long skirts and corsets that were common at the time. Austin argued that the "American Costume" allowed for greater freedom of movement and was healthier for women, as it did not constrict the body or impede circulation.

Austin's dress reform efforts were part of a larger movement that sought to improve women's health and autonomy. She believed that the restrictive clothing of the era was not only uncomfortable but also detrimental to women's health. Her advocacy was influential in the broader women's rights movement, which sought to challenge and change the societal norms that limited women's roles and opportunities.

Later life and legacy

In her later years, Harriet N. Austin continued to promote health and wellness through her medical practice and public speaking. She remained a vocal advocate for dress reform and women's rights until her death in 1891.

Austin's legacy is remembered as part of the early efforts to improve women's health and expand their roles in society. Her work in dress reform was a precursor to later movements that sought to challenge and change the restrictive norms of women's fashion.

Related pages

• Dress reform (19th century)
• Women's rights
• Hydropathy
• Glen Haven Water Cure