DIX, DOROTHEA LYNDE (1802-1887), American phil anthropist, was born at Hampden (Me.), April 4, 1802. About 1821 she opened a school in Boston. From 1824 to 183o she wrote books of devotion and stories for children. Her Conversa tions on Common Things (1824) had reached its both edition by 1869. In 1841 she became interested in the condition of gaols and almshouses, investigating especially the treatment of the pauper insane. Her memorial to the State legislature resulted in improved treatment of the insane, and she then extended her work into many other States. By 1847 she had visited 18 State penitentiaries, 30o county gaols and houses of correction, and over 50o almshouses. Her labours resulted in the establishment of many insane asylums, and in the founding of many additional gaols and almshouses conducted on a reformed plan. In she became interested in the condition of the insane in Scotland, and her report opened the way for sweeping reforms. She ex tended her work into the Channel islands, and then to France, Italy, Austria, Greece, Turkey, Russia, Sweden, Norway, Den mark, Holland, Belgium and a part of Germany. Her work re sulted in the establishment of two asylums for the insane in Japan. She was superintendent of women nurses during the Civil War; and her labours on behalf of defectives were continued after the war. She died at Trenton (N.J.), July 17, 1887. See Francis Tiffany, Life of Dorothea Lynde Dix (Boston, 1892) .