Mrs. Satan

Mrs. Satan chronicles the life of Victoria Woodhull, the first woman to run for U.S. President in 1872. Myra MacPherson reconstructs Woodhull's journey from her poverty-stricken childhood in Ohio to her rise as a Wall Street broker, newspaper publisher, and political figure. The book follows Woodhull's transformation into a vocal advocate for women's rights, free love, and spiritual beliefs that challenged Victorian society. MacPherson details Woodhull's connections to figures like Cornelius Vanderbilt and Susan B. Anthony, while examining the fierce opposition and press attacks that earned her the nickname "Mrs. Satan." Through extensive research and historical documentation, the biography captures the social upheaval of post-Civil War America and the early women's rights movement. The narrative traces how Woodhull's radical views on marriage, finance, and politics both inspired supporters and created powerful enemies. Beyond a standard biography, the book presents a meditation on fame, scandal, and the price of defying social conventions in pursuit of reform. The parallels between 19th-century culture wars and modern political divisions emerge organically through Woodhull's compelling story.

The biography receives high marks for thorough research and historical details about Victoria Woodhull's life. Readers appreciate MacPherson's balanced portrayal that shows both Woodhull's achievements and flaws without sensationalism. Readers like: - Clear writing style that maintains narrative flow - Integration of primary sources and newspaper accounts - Context about women's rights movement and American society - Debunking of myths about Woodhull Common criticisms: - Too much focus on side characters and tangents - Occasional repetitive passages - Dense political details that slow the pacing - Some readers found the chronology confusing Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (94 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (22 ratings) One reader noted: "MacPherson strikes the right balance between scholarly research and engaging storytelling." Another wrote: "Sometimes gets lost in minutiae, but overall brings this fascinating woman to life."

Free Love and Death by Meredith Tax This biography chronicles 19th-century free-love advocate Victoria Woodhull's sister, Tennessee Claflin, who challenged sexual conventions and fought for women's rights alongside Victoria.

The Scarlet Sisters by Myra MacPherson The dual biography follows Victoria Woodhull and Tennessee Claflin's rise from poverty to power as Wall Street brokers, newspaper publishers, and radical suffragists in Gilded Age America.

Notorious Victoria by Mary Gabriel This account traces Victoria Woodhull's journey from spiritualist medium to presidential candidate while examining the intersection of women's rights, free love, and radical politics in 1870s America.

Other Powers by Barbara Goldsmith The book weaves together the stories of Victoria Woodhull, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony to reveal the connections between spiritualism, suffrage, and scandal in nineteenth-century America.

The Woman Who Ran for President by Lois Beachy Underhill This biography focuses on Victoria Woodhull's 1872 presidential campaign and her role in challenging political, social, and sexual norms during the suffrage movement.

📚 Victoria Woodhull, the subject of "Mrs. Satan," was the first woman to run for U.S. President in 1872—48 years before women could even vote. 🗞️ The book's title comes from political cartoonist Thomas Nast, who depicted Woodhull as "Mrs. Satan" in Harper's Weekly after she exposed the adultery of prominent minister Henry Ward Beecher. 💫 Author Myra MacPherson spent seven years researching Woodhull's life, uncovering previously unpublished documents and family letters to create this comprehensive biography. ⚡ Victoria Woodhull and her sister Tennessee Claflin were the first women to operate a Wall Street brokerage firm, opening their doors in 1870 with backing from Cornelius Vanderbilt. 📖 Beyond her political aspirations, Woodhull published her own newspaper, advocated for "free love" (women's right to divorce), and helped introduce eastern spiritualism to American society through her work as a medium.