Origins & Early Life

Victoria Claflin Woodhull (born Victoria California Claflin; September 23, 1838 – June 9, 1927), later Victoria Woodhull Martin, was an American leader of the women's suffrage movement who ran for president of the United States in the 1872 election. While many historians and authors agree that Woodhull was the first woman to run for the presidency, some disagree with classifying it as a true candidacy because according to the Constitution she would have been too young to be president if elected. An activist for women's rights and labor reforms, Woodhull was also an advocate of "free love", by which she meant the freedom to marry, divorce and bear children without social restriction or government interference. "They cannot roll back the rising tide of reform", she often said.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

"The world moves." Woodhull twice went from rags to riches, her first fortune being made on the road as a magnetic healer before she joined the spiritualist movement in the 1870s. Together with her sister, Tennessee Claflin, she was the first woman to operate a brokerage firm on Wall Street, making a second fortune. They were among the first women to found a newspaper in the United States, Woodhull & Claflin's...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Ernst Mach — Contemporary (Born in 1838) (1838): Pioneering physicist and philosopher who shaped modern science and logic.
• Al Martino — Contemporary (Born in 1927) (1927): Iconic Italian-American crooner, celebrated for standards and his role in The Godfather.
• Antônio Carlos Jobim — Contemporary (Born in 1927) (1927): Pioneering composer of Bossa Nova, merging samba with cool jazz.
• B. V. Doshi — Contemporary (Born in 1927) (1927): Pioneering Indian architect celebrated for modernist and brutalist design.
• Adnan Khayr Allah — Shared historical date (09-23 · Born) (1941): Iraqi military officer and former Minister of Defense, closely connected to the ruling family.
• Bai Juyi — Shared historical date (09-23 · Died) (846): Master poet of the Tang Dynasty, known for vernacular verse and social commentary.
• Aaron Sorkin — Shared historical date (06-09 · Born) (1961): Master of fast-paced dialogue, known for 'walk and talk' storytelling.
• Ambrogio Lorenzetti — Shared historical date (06-09 · Died) (1348): Master painter of the Sienese school, known for allegorical and naturalistic works.
• 1838 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1838
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• 1927 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1927
• June 9 (06-09) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on June 9