Clara Barton: Hero of Medicine. Educator, nurse and founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton, born Clarissa Harlowe Barton on Christmas, December 25, 1821, in Oxford, Massachusetts. On April 12, 1912 at her home in Glen Echo, Massachusetts, she died from pneumonia. Clara’s father, Captain Stephen Barton, inspired her patriotism and gave her a deep sense of humanitarian interest. Clara was not especially close with her mother, Sarah Stone Barton. She had two brothers and two sisters and was the youngest of them. She started school at the age of three and by four was spelling three syllable words. Clara’s schooling was at home, from her siblings. Her older brother, David became seriously injured so Clara appointed herself his nurse. She learned to administer his prescribed medications and how to “bleed” him with leeches. When the doctors gave up, it took Clara two years, but she persisted until he made a full recovery. Clara’s parents thought that sending her off to school would be help her shyness, unfortunately, they were mistaken. …show more content…
Clara received her first teacher’s certificate at age seventeen. She quickly became a well popular and very respected teacher. After teaching for sixteen years, she decided to continue her own education by studying writing and languages. While there, she became interested in public education. After Clara had graduated, she found a strong resistance toward educating those who could not afford to pay. She offered to teach for three months without pay, in hopes to convince New Jersey officials to invest in a free public school system. Clara was given six very active young boys to teach. Five weeks later, there was no longer enough room for all the children that want to learn. Clara had proven her point and funds were given to build a school, unfortunately a year later, she had lost her