The Library Company's ongoing Portraits of American Women project identifies portraits that appeared in books and periodicals before 1861 and makes them accessible online. In antebellum America, before the development of photomechanical image reproduction, such portraits represented a significant investment of time and money.

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Prosser, Mrs.
Waist-length portrait of Mrs. Prosser, wearing muff., In Frank Leslie’s illustrated newspaper, vol. 3, no. 75 (May 16, 1857), p. 368., Mrs. Prosser was a witness in the Burdell murder trial., Also known as Caroline Weathington. Cf. New York daily tribune (Feb. 6, 1857), p. 6.
Ramsay, Martha Laurens, 1759-1811
In Memoirs of Martha Laurens Ramsay (Philadelphia, 1845), frontispiece., Waist-length portrait of Mrs. Ramsay, wearing a lowcut dress with lace collar.
Randolph, Martha Jefferson, 1772-1836.
In Griswold, R.W. The Republican Court, or, American society in the days of Washington. New and rev. ed. (New York, 1856), plate preceding p. 219., Three-quarter length portrait of Mrs. Randolph, seated, with her arms crossed in her lap, her right hand holding a rose, in front of a window through which a mountain and a river are visible.
Rankin, Mary, b. 1821
In Rankin, Mary. The daughter of affliction (Dayton, 1858), frontispiece., Waist-length portrait of the invalid, with a blanket across her lap., "Your sister in Christ, Mary Rankin".
Rantchewaime.
In McKenney, T. L. and J. Hall. History of the Indian tribes of North America, v.1 (Philadelphia, 1836), plate opposite p. 147. Also in 1838-1844 edition., "Rantchewaime has been known, after her return from Washington, to assemble hundreds of the females of her tribe, and discourse to them on the subject of ... vicious courses which she witnessed ... among the whites, and to warn them against like practices."--P. 148., Waist-length portrait of Rantchewaime, wearing earrings and necklaces, and holding a fan constructed of feathers.
Rawson, Rebecca, 1656-1692.
Waist-length portrait of the Boston native., In Jones, A.D. The illustrated American biography (New York, 1853), v. 1, p. [29]., In 1679, Rebecca Rawson married a man who swindled her out of her fortune and abandoned her in England., Another portrait appears in Jones, A.D. The American portrait gallery (New York, 1855), p. [29].
Read, Elizabeth T., 1830-1847.
In Abbott, J.S.C. Memoir of Miss Elizabeth T. Read (New York, 1847), frontispiece., “Ever your own true Lizzie. Love her Jennie”., Three-quarter length portrait of the young woman.
Reed, Esther, 1747-1780.
In Ellet, E.F. The women of the American revolution (New York, 1848) v.1, plate opposite p. 36., Facsimile signature: E. DeBerdt., Bust-length portrait of Mrs. Reed., Another portrait appears in Jones, A.D. The American portrait gallery (New York, 1855), p. [361].
Remington, Mrs.
In Kirkland, C.M. The book of home beauty (New York, 1852), plate opposite p. 84., Shoulder-length portrait of Mrs. Remington, in profile.
Restell, Madame, 1812-1878.
Shoulder-length portrait of Madame Restell, wearing hat., In Wonderful trial of Caroline Lohman, alias Restell (New York, 1847), wrapper vignette., Also known as Caroline Lohman., Caroline Lohman, alias Madame Restell, performed abortions and distributed contraception in New York City. She accumulated substantial wealth through her work, and became well known for her ostentatious lifestyle. In 1847 she was tried for performing an abortion on Maria Bodine.
Richard Johnson shooting Mrs. Ursula Newman.
In Brooke, H.K. Tragedies on the land (Philadelphia, 1845), p. 129., Ursula Newman, of New York City, was shot on November 20, 1828, by her common-law husband Richard Johnson, in the presence of her three children (her daughter Rachel and two sons). Johnson had just learned that the landlord had taken the equipment from his home printing office for back rent. That very day, he had returned from Genesee County, where he had picked up the infant that had been born to Mrs. Newman (at the home of the brother of her previous husband in August 1827)., Full-length figure of a woman with her right arm raised above her head as she collapses on a sofa; she is being shot by a man standing near her; two boys run toward the door, and a young woman standing near the door stares with her mouth open and her hands clasped near her chest.
Rickey, Anna S. (Anna Smith), 1827-1858.
In Rickey, A.S. Forest flowers of the West (Philadelphia, 1851), frontispiece., Facsimile signature: Yours ever Anna S. Rickey., Waist-length portrait of the writer, holding a book and a pen.
Ritchie, Anna Cora Ogden Mowatt, 1819-1870.
In Hale, S.J. Woman's record (New York, 1853), p. 754. "Illustrated by two hundred and thirty portraits, engraved on wood by Lossing and Barritt.", Bust-length portrait of the writer, Other portraits appear in: Gleason's pictorial drawing room companion, v. 1 (1851), p. 300 and p. 348.
Roberts, Abigail, 1791-1841.
In Roberts, P. Memoir of Mrs. Abigail Roberts (Irvington, N.J., 1858), frontispiece., Bust-length portrait of Mrs. Roberts, wearing a bonnet.
Robertson, Agnes, 1833-1916.
Waist-length portrait of the actress., In Gleason's pictorial drawing-room companion, vol. 6, no. 13 (Apr. 1, 1854), p. 201., Agnes Robertson was a popular stage actress who eloped with fellow actor Dion Bourcicault., Another portrait appears in: Frank Leslie's illustrated newspaper, vol. 4, no. 119 (Mar. 13, 1858), p. 236.
Robinson, Henrietta, b. 1827
In Wilson, D. Henrietta Robinson (New York, 1855), frontispiece., After wearing a veil during her 1854 trial, Henrietta Robinson became known as the "Veiled Murderess.", Waist-length portrait of the criminal.
Rolla, Teresa.
Full-length portrait of Miss Rolla dancing on stage, with a bouquet at her feet., In Frank Leslie's illustrated weekly, vol. 4, no. 92 (Sept. 5, 1857), p. 209., Miss Teresa Rolla was an Italian-born ballet dancer who, shortly after moving to New York City, made her American premiere at Niblo's Garden at the age of nineteen.
Rowlandson, Mary White, ca. 1635-1711.
Full-length portrait of the writer wearing a hat while holding a rifle in one hand and a horn in the other. A citadel is visible in the distant background., In Rowlandson, Mary W. A narrative of the captivity, sufferings, and removes of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson (Boston, 1770), p. [2.], Mrs. Mary Rowlandson was a Puritan pioneer who, during an Indian attack on her town, was taken captive with her children and held for three months before being ransomed., The portrait was likely first used to represent Hannah Snell, the cross-dressing British soldier. Cf. Reilly, Elizabeth Carroll. Dictionary of colonial American printers’ ornaments and illustrations, p. 373.
Rumford, Sarah Thompson, Gräfin, 1774-1852.
In Gleason’s pictorial drawing-room companion, vol. 7, no. 3 (July 22, 1854), p. 36., Waist-length portrait of the widow of Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford.
Rumpff, Eliza Astor, 1801-1838.
In Transplanted flowers, or, Memoirs of Mrs Rumpff, daughter of John Jacob Astor esq and the Duchess de Broglie, daughter of Madame de Staël (New York, 1839), frontispiece., Three-quarter portrait of the New York native, who married Count Vincenz von Rumpff (1789–1867) in 1825; Countess von Rumpff died in Vaud, Switzerland.
Sacred Sun, ca. 1809-1835 or 6.
In McKenney, T.L. and J. Hall. History of the Indian tribes of North America, v.1 (Philadelphia, 1848), plate opposite p. 29. Also in 1836-1844 and 1838-1844 editions., Sacred Sun, also known as Mohongo, was one of seven members of the Osage tribe taken to Europe as "curiosities" for public exhibition. After their return to America, Mohongo visited Washington, D.C. and met various members of the government., "Perhaps when circumstances of embarassment, or perplexing objects of curiosity, were presented, the superior tact and flexibility of the female mind became apparent, and her companions learned to place a higher estimation upon her character, than is usually awarded by the Indian to the weaker sex. Escaped from servile labor, she had leisure to think. New objects were continually placed before her eye; admiration and curiosity were often awakened in her mind; its latent faculties were excited, and that beautiful system of association which forms the train of rational thought, became connected and developed. Mahongo was no longer the drudge of a savage hunter, but his friend. Such are the inferences which seem to be fairly deductible, when contrasting the agreeable expression of this countenance, with the stolid lineaments of other females of the same race."--P. 32., Waist-length portrait of Sacred Sun, seated, wearing metal and beaded necklaces and earrings, and holding a child on her lap.
Schermerhorn, J., Mrs.
In Kirkland, C.M. The book of home beauty (New York, 1852), plate opposite p. 96., Shoulder-length portrait of Mrs. Schermerhorn, with a wreath of leaves on her head.
Scott, Harriet Hill, 1729-1795.
Bust-length portrait of Mrs. Scott, wearing a necklace and earrings, and holding a child., In Smith, John Jay, ed. Letters of Doctor Richard Hill and his children (Philadelphia, 1854), plate preceding p. 115., Mrs. Scott was the fourth daughter of physician Richard Hill and of prominent Quaker lineage, belonging to the Hill, Lloyd, and Moore families of Philadelphia., “Harriett married John Scott, and had one daughter, Mary, who died young, and a son, John -- called Jock in the letters -- who grew up and held an official appointment in India; he died about the same period with his widowed mother. She seems to have been an affectionate, timid, and sorrowful woman; her married life, entered upon without her father’s consent, was not entirely happy; her husband was much older than herself.”--P. xvii-xviii.
Scott, Julia H., 1809-1842.
Waist-length portrait of the poet, wearing a garment fastened by a brooch, with lace visible beneath., In Scott, Julia H. Memoir of Julia H. Scott (Boston, 1853), frontispiece., Facsimile signature: Thine, Julia H. Scott., Mrs. Julia H. Scott, an early 19th-century writer of poetry and prose, frequently wrote on romantic themes such as nature, death, and spirituality.
Scudder, Catherine H., 1825-1849
In American missionary memorial (New York, 1853), p. 230., Mrs. Scudder and her husband were sent to Ceylon by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions., Waist-length portrait of the missionary.
Sears, Angeline Brooks, 1817-1848.
Waist-length portrait of Mrs. Sears, seated next to a table on which there are books., In Hamline, Melinda. Memoirs of Mrs. Angeline B. Sears, with extracts from her correspondence (Cincinnati, 1851), frontispiece., Facsimile signature: Your affectionate Angeline., Mrs. Sears was the wife of the itinerant Methodist minister Clinton W. Sears. As the wife of a minister, she had occasion to aid others, especially the sick and the poor, before her death at a young age from consumption (the disease known as tuberculosis today).
Sedgwick, Pamela Dwight, 1753-1807.
In Griswold, R.W. The Republican Court, or, American society in the days of Washington. New and rev. ed. (New York, 1856), plate preceding p. 271., Three-quarter length portrait of Mrs. Sedgwick, seated, her hands resting in her lap, her right hand holding a flower.
Seton, Elizabeth Ann, Saint, 1774-1821.
In White, C.I. Life of Mrs. Eliza A. Seton (New York, 1853), frontispiece; portrait also stamped in gold on cover and spine., Waist-length portrait of Mrs. Seton, in profile, wearing a crucifix.
Shakoka.
Waist-length portrait of Shakoka, seated, wearing beaded necklaces and earrings. Her untied grey hair features prominently in the portrait., In Prichard, James Cowles. The natural history of man (London, 1843), plate following p. 402., "Dr. Prichard’s Natural History of Man”., The distinctive physical features of the Mandan Indians - such as the prevalence of grey hair and variety of skin tones within the tribe - led Dr. James Prichard to include several of George Catlin’s portraits of Mandan Indians in his own anthropological works.
Shaw, Charlotte.
Three-quarter length portrait of Miss Shaw, seated, wearing a shawl and holding a rose. Ornate border around the portrait depicts angels and flowers. An eagle at the top of the portrait holds in its mouth a circular medal reading: PLUMBE Gold Medal., In Loder, George. Lady! The rose I give to thee (Philadelphia, 1846), vignette., The actress Charlotte Shaw debuted at the Bowery Theater on Dec. 14, 1842. Cf. Hall, Lillian A. Catalogue of dramatic portraits (1930-1934)., “[John] Plumbe devised a method whereby his studio copied original photographic images onto a lithographer’s stone by an early and innovative method of mechanical photoreproduction that still remains a mystery. Plumbeotypes were thus actually lithographs, but with a difference, for the stones were created with the new process.”--P. 48. LCP AR [Annual Report] 1992.
Sherwood, Mrs. (Virginia), 1832-1888.
In Gleason’s pictorial drawing-room companion, vol. 7, no. 25 (December 23, 1854), p. 396., Full-length portrait of the equestrian circus performer.
Sigourney, L. H. (Lydia Howard), 1791-1865.
In Longacre, J.B. National portrait gallery of distinguished Americans, v.4 (1839), plate opposite entry. Also appears in other editions. Note that by the 1852-53 Peterson edition fewer portraits of women are included. This portrait is replaced by another portrait of Mrs. Sigourney., Facsimile signature: L.H. Sigourney., Waist-length portrait of the writer.
Simpson, Eliza P., 1823-1851
In American missionary memorial (New York, 1853), p. 472., Mrs. Simpson and her husband were sent to Western Africa by the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions., Waist-length portrait of the missionary.
Slocum, Frances, 1773-1847.
In Chapin, J.R. The historical picture gallery (Boston, 1856), p. 471., Partially obscured full-length portrait of the young girl, who is being held by a Native American holding a tomahawk over his head; he is trying to fend off a woman (her mother, Ruth Tripp Slocum?), who is kneeling before him with her right arm outstretched toward the child; a second child is on the floor next to them; a second woman and a recumbent body are visible in the background.
Slocumb, Polly, 1760-1836.
In Chapin, J.R. The historical picture gallery (Boston, 1856), p. 475., Three-quarter length portrait of the Revolutionary War heroine (Mary Hooks Slocumb, also known as Polly), kneeling with a wounded man in her arms; two men approach her; horses and a recumbent body are visible in the background.
Smith, Abigail Adams, 1765-1813.
In Griswold, R.W. The Republican Court, or, American society in the days of Washington. New and rev. ed. (New York, 1856), plate preceding p. 91., Waist-length portrait of Mrs. Smith, standing in front of a window partially covered with drapery, wearing a pearl headband and holding a fur muff. Obscure landscape scene visible through window.
Smith, Elizabeth Oakes Prince, 1806-1893.
In Read, T.B. Female poets of America (Philadelphia, 1849), frontispiece., Facsimile signature: E. Oakes Smith., Waist-length portrait of the writer.
Smith, Georgiana.
Full-length portrait of the young girl in color, wearing a white dress with large red sash and flowers in hair. Seated on grass, amidst trees and flowers, with a large brown dog., In Southgate, F. Affection schottisch (Baltimore, 1858)., “To Miss Georgiana Smith of Boston”.
Smith, Martha Hazeltine, 1808-1841.
In Sleeper, S. Memoir of Mrs. M. Hazeltine Smith (Boston, 1843), frontispiece., Facsimile signature: Your affectionate friend M. Hazeltine Smith., Smith was the principal of the New Hampton Female Seminary., Waist-length portrait of the teacher, wearing a brooch and shawl.
Smith, Mary Ellen, -1849.
In Trial of Mrs. Margaret Howard, for the murder of Miss Mary Ellen Smith (Cincinnati, 1849), p. [4]., Mary Ellen Smith was stabbed to death by her lover’s wife., Bust-length portrait of the murder victim, wearing a bonnet.

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