Harriet Martineau (1802–1876)

Although Harriet Martineau is underappreciated today, she was extremely influential in her own time—successfully reaching a wide popular audience with her monthly serials, published under the umbrella title Illustrations of Political Economy. This essay highlights her investigations and writings that clearly exposed the terrible consequences of American slavery—especially its violence and sexual abuse.

David M. Levy is professor of economics at George Mason University and Distinguished Fellow of the History of Economics Society.
Sandra J. Peart is E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Professor in Leadership Studies and dean of the University of Richmond’s Jepson School of Leadership Studies.
EconomistsEconomyPhilosophy and Religion