WILLARD, FRANCES ELIZABETH, an American temperance reformer; born in Churchville, near Rochester, N. Y., Sept. 28, 1839. Her early education was received at Oberlin College, and her parents removing to Illinois she was graduated at the Northwestern Female College at Evanston, Ill., in 1859. After some years spent in teaching she became Professor of Esthetics in the Northwest ern University, and was made dean of the Women's College in February, 1871. She began her active temperance work in 1874, and was made secretary of the National Woman's Christian Tem perance Union. In 1879 she was made president of that organization and held the office till her death. She was chosen as president of the World's Woman's Christian Temperance Union in 1888, and in 1892 visited England as the guest of Lady Henry Somerset, the well-known temperance worker. During her visit in London she addressed a mass meeting at Exeter Hall which was said to be the largest and most intensely interesting assemblage ever held in its walls. She
was an untiring worker and for 10 years averaged one public meeting a day, be sides writing letters and articles, and planning work while in transit between towns at which she spoke. She was editor-in-chief of the "Union Signal" from 1892, and a frequent contributor to other periodicals and newspapers, being an admirable writer and a journalist of rare tact, quickness and force. She was an orator of great eloquence, humor, and power. Her executive ability and genius for organization were wonderful and her work for temperance and social purity will live in the history of her country. She died in New York City, Feb. 18, 1898.