The Mary Ellen Wilson Child Abuse Case and the Beginning of Children's Rights in 19th Century America [Paperback]

Eric A. Shelman (Author), Stephan Lazoritz (Author), Stephen S. Zawistowski (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786420391 | ISBN-13: 978-0786420391 | Publication Date: January 4, 2005

As recently as 1874, no laws yet existed in this country for the protection of children. In New York of the same year, it was the widely publicized case of Mary Ellen Wilson—a nine-year-old girl who had been a prisoner in her tenement home, enduring unimaginable cruelty—that was the first to draw national and worldwide attention to both the social issue of child abuse and to the notion that children are entitled to humane treatment. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) founder Henry Bergh and his attorney, Elbridge T. Gerry, intervened on behalf of the abused little girl. Following this case, the first child protection agency was founded: the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

This examination of the child abuse case begins with a look at Mary Ellen Wilson’s life and provides background on the events surrounding the case. It draws upon—and reproduces within the text—numerous primary sources. Mary Ellen’s famous court testimony, queries urging Henry Bergh’s ASPCA to continue work on behalf of children, articles describing the courtroom scene, pleas from Mary Ellen’s family appealing for her custody and published documentation of the trial itself are all offered here for the first time. The extensive amounts of newspaper coverage, family letters, judicial orders and court transcripts presented in this work chronicle the historical case and its effects which have since provided hope for millions of abused and neglected children.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Author Eric A. Shelman volunteers for Voices for Kids of Southwest Florida, a support group for the 20th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem program. He lives in Cape Coral, Florida and also works as a realtor.

Stephen Lazoritz, M.D., is the Vice President for Medical Affairs of Children’s Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska and teaches at both Creighton University and the University of Nebraska. He lives in Omaha, Nebraska. The two authors also co-wrote a novelization of Mary Ellen Wilson’s life.

Product Details

• Paperback: 247 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (January 4, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786420391
• ISBN-13: 978-0786420391
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,379,210 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow. And I'd NEVER heard of this important piece of history before ..., May 16, 2011

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KindleCrazyReader - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Mary Ellen Wilson Child Abuse Case and the Beginning of Children's Rights In 19th Century America (Kindle Edition)

I first read "Out of the Darkness: The Story of Mary Ellen Wilson," which was the "dramatically" told version of this story. More than "historical fiction," I'd refer to it as "creative nonfiction," because the story happened over 137 years ago, and in order to tell the story, someone would have had to be there documenting every person encountered and every word said. I feel that book gave a very accurate description of what happened when this 9-year-old girl was rescued by agents of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

This book, however was a natural follow up for me, because after reading Out of the Darkness, I was fascinated, and wanted to read all the newspaper accounts, court transcripts, and other associated documents myself. This all happened three years before Custer's Last Stand at Little Bighorn, just to give you some historical perspective! No cars, electric power, lights, phones. But ASPCA founder Henry Bergh sure knew the media, and he made sure that every newspaper in New York was there to cover this trial.

So my recommendation is: If you enjoy a great story, get Out of the Darkness (also on Kindle). If you want just the facts laid out in a collection of documents, then buy this book. If you're a curious person like myself, then get both!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything about the Mary Ellen Wilson case is here!, April 14, 2005

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Eric A. Shelman "Author" (Cape Coral, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mary Ellen Wilson Child Abuse Case and the Beginning of Children's Rights in 19th Century America (Paperback)

Dr. Lazoritz and I are very excited to see this book released to the public. When we wrote Out of the Darkness, publishers did not know where to place it. With this book, there is no such problem; it's clearly the definitive book on the Mary Ellen Wilson/Mary Connolly abuse case. A fascinating piece of American history, and a crucial trial that changed the way we view and treat our children. Please, if you buy this book, come back and write your own review so others can trust someone other than the author! :-)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read!!!!!!!!!!!, January 16, 2011

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Marquita Brown - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mary Ellen Wilson Child Abuse Case and the Beginning of Children's Rights in 19th Century America (Paperback)

I could not put this book down! I was an abused child in the 1960's and we had alot in common. I never knew the start of Child Protection or ASPCA, this was a very informative story. I am now the mother of 2 and grandmother of 2 and I am a court appointed advocate for children who are abused. I have bought this book for friends and family and I tell everyone to read it.