What a Young Wife Ought to Know (eBook)

Emma Frances Angell Drake (1849-1925) was an American physician, author, and reformer, who made significant contributions to the literature on women's health and social issues of the early 20th century. Drake was born in Illinois and later graduated from the Boston University School of Medicine, thus embarking on a career that amalgamated her medical expertise with advocacy for women's rights. In her literary pursuits, Drake's notable work, 'What a Young Wife Ought to Know' (1901), stands out as an emblematic text, mirroring the social mores and prevailing attitudes towards women's sexuality and reproductive health. In this book, she delicately navigates the line between medical advice and moral discourse, reflecting the educational emphasis of the era for preparing women for the responsibilities of marriage and family life. While less remembered today, Drake's contributions were part of a broader movement that sought to empower women through knowledge and to promote public health. Her literary style, encased within the socio-medical genre, often employed an accessible narrative to discuss complex issues, aiming to reach a broad audience of women seeking guidance in a rapidly changing society. Throughout her works, Drake maintained a clear, didactic tone, emblematic of her dual roles as an educator and a physician.