American sociologist, born at Cedarville, IL, on the 6th of September 1860. After graduating at Rockford (IL) Female Seminary (now Rockford College) in 1881, she spent several years in the study of economic and sociological questions in both Europe and America, and in 1889 with Miss Ellen Gates Starr established in Chicago, IL, the social settlement known as Hull House, of which she became the head-worker. The success of this settlement, which became a great factor for good in the city, was principally due to Miss Addams’s rare executive skill and practical common-sense methods. Her personal participation in the life of the community is exemplified in her acceptance of the office of inspector of streets and alleys under the municipal government. She became widely known as a lecturer and writer on social problems. She did much to promote the cause of woman suffrage, and in 1912 was an active worker in behalf of the short-lived National Progressive party. After the outbreak of the World War in Europe she attended the International Congress of Women held at The Hague in 1915, and was elected president. She was also appointed chairman of the International Committee of Women for Permanent Peace. She was an avowed pacifist after America had entered the World War. She published Democracy and Social Ethics (1902); Newer Ideals of Peace (1907); The Spirit of Youth and the City Streets (1909); Twenty Years at Hull House (1910), with much autobiographical comment; A New Conscience and an Ancient Evil (1911) and The Long Road of Women’s Memory (1916).
