Frances Willard

Frances Willard died of influenza on February 17, 1898, at the age of 58. She had been suffering from pernicious anemia since the early 1890s, and, despite rest cures, exercise, and other attempts to restore her health, the disease weakened her. She died in New York City, on her way to leave for England. Thousands of people gathered along the route of the funeral train that brought her body back to Chicago. An estimated 20,000 mourners lined up outside the Woman’s Temple (the WCTU headquarters in Chicago’s Loop), where she lay in state before being brought to Evanston for a final service at the Methodist Church. To the dismay of many WCTU members, she was cremated (an unusual practice at the time). She was buried with her mother (who had died in 1892) in Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago.

American sculptor Lorado Taft (1860-1936) made a number of sculptures of Willard, including bas-reliefs, medallions, and the marble bust that now stands on the third floor of Deering Library. It was commissioned by John Shaffer, a long-time friend of the University, and presented to Northwestern in June, 1898.

Lasting Fame: Statuary Hall, U.S. Capitol

With Willard’s death, the WCTU lost its most radical leader. Although there had been growing opposition to some of her ideas, she left an inspiring legacy to the women of the WCTU. She also became a symbol to many others outside the WCTU—as an empowering example of a bold speaker, a leader of women, and a crusader for social reform. Perhaps the most significant memorial was the choice by the State of Illinois to commemorate Willard in a statue placed in Statuary Hall at the US Capitol.

Following Susan B. Anthony’s suggestion that a woman sculptor depict Willard for the US Capitol statue, Helen Farnsworth Mears was chosen. Mears (1872-1916) had worked with Lorado Taft on the sculptures at the World’s Columbian Exposition, among many other commissions. The statue, appropriately showing Willard standing at a lectern, was dedicated in February, 1905, and was the first statue of a woman to be added to the group of notable Americans in Statuary Hall.

The Willard Centenary, 1939

Reflecting Willard’s continued fame, the hundredth anniversary of her birth was marked by events and commemorative efforts across the country.

At Northwestern, a  new dorm for freshman women, designed by James Gamble Rogers was dedicated on September 28,1938, the 99th anniversary of Willard’s birth. Old Willard Hall (the former Evanston College for Ladies / Woman’s College), which had been a dorm since 1901, became the Music Administration Building. Willard Hall became the multi-thematic Willard Residential College in 1972, and was the site of the annual, notorious “Willard Party” until 2003.

This exhibit features items from Northwestern University Archives (NUA)
and the Frances Willard House Museum & Archives (FWHA).