Catherine Fiske, an innovative educator from New England, advanced the cause of education for girls during the early 19th century. Photo credit: Public Domain

There are many outstanding educators who advanced the cause of education for girls in the early years of our nation’s history. One of these was Catherine Fiske, an innovative teacher from New England who taught in New Hampshire during the early 19th century.

Catherine was born on July 30, 1784, in Worcester, Massachusetts. Even at a young age, she was a voracious reader. She attended public schools in her home village, until her family relocated to Vermont when she was 12 years old.

Catherine inaugurated her career as a teacher when she was only 15 years old. She taught in public or district schools throughout Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. As a teacher, Catherine was well-liked in her schools for her integrity and dignity, but she was also stern and reserved, and she commanded respect. After demonstrating her exceptional skills with classroom management, she became a permanent teacher in Keene, New Hampshire.

In May, 1814, after a career as a teacher that had already spanned 15 years, Catherine purchased a building on a large farm in Keene, New Hampshire. There she established Miss Catherine Fiske’s Young Ladies Seminary. The school was the first of its kind in the state, and only the second like it in the country.

At her school, Catherine enrolled both day students and boarding scholars. At one time, she even opened a class of boys as day students. One year, between 80 and 100 students were enrolled. It has been estimated that more than 2,500 young people became her students over the 38 years the school was open.

With an enrollment so large, Catherine employed and supervised a staff of highly-qualified teachers to help her with instruction. She also ran the household and managed the farm, overseeing every detail. She did this even though her health was frail, and she was in pain much of the time.

Catherine was well-known for her acute business acumen. She charged $50 per term for each student. For younger students, this fee included instruction in reading, writing, English grammar, arithmetic, history, geography., and needle work. For older students, she included courses in politics, rhetoric, philosophy, theology, chemistry, botany, algebra, geometry, and Latin. For an additional fee, students could receive instruction in music, drawing, and painting.

Catherine Fiske passed away in 1837. She was only 53 years old. Following her death, a monument was erected to her memory in Keene.