Lucy Salisbury Doolittle

Lucy Salisbury Doolittle (October 7, 1832 – February 6, 1908) was an American philanthropist and clubwoman. She was the first woman trustee of the Unitarian Church, was one of the founders of the Twentieth Century Club and president at one time of the board of children's guardians. In all her work for the poor and needy of Washington, D.C., she showed great executive ability and marked business talent.

Early life and education Lucy Salisbury was born in Farmersville, New York, October 7, 1832. On both sides, she came of New England stock, both families having moved to western New York in the early days of settlement. Not long after her birth, her parents moved to Castile, New York, where, with the exception of a few months, her early life was spent. She was eight years old when her mother died, and afterwards lived with her grandmother's sister. She had a good home, but was obliged to work hard and had little time for recreation. George Salisbury, who became a judge at Fort Collins, Colorado, was a brother.

In Castile, she received a common school education. Not being satisfied, at the age of 20, she went to Yellow Springs, Ohio, where she entered the preparatory department of Antioch College. There, she received the greater part of her education, having completed the work of the preparatory department and taken special collegiate studies.

In 1863, Doolittle went to Washington, D.C., her husband following a few months later. She at once entered into the work in the hospitals and was thus engaged until the fall of 1865, a part of the time as volunteer nurse, and during the remainder as agent for the Sanitary Commission.

In the associated charities and in the charitable work of the Unitarian Church, she did good service. Her husband and two daughters, Mrs. L. A. (Adelia Frances) Bauer and Mrs. Mary D. Dawson, survived her.