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

~ (Author), Stephen, M.D. Lazoritz (Author), Stephen S. Zawistowski (Foreword), Elbridge T., Jr. Gerry (Foreword), Joseph Gleason (Foreword)

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Product Description

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.

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; illustrated edition edition (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 (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,441,078 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Eric A. Shelman, PA "Realtor Writer" (Cape Coral, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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! :-)