Elizabeth Ann Seton
(1774-1821)
Fall 2006
EDCI 658
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Who Is Elizabeth Ann Seton?
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“Did you go to a private or public elementary
school? Some private schools are very
exclusive and expensive; others are much more
affordable because they are connected with a
local parish. We have Elizabeth Seton to thank
for promoting parochial education for all those
so interested. The parochial educational system
in the United States is one of the largest in the
world.”
 Murphy, 2006, p. 290
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Who Is Elizabeth Ann Seton Cont.
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Born in New York City on August 28, 1774
The second of three girls to Dr. Richard Bayley,
New York’s first public health officer
Elizabeth’s mother died during childbirth when
Elizabeth was only three years of old
Her father remarried and had seven more
children
Elizabeth was sent to live with her grandparents
or her uncle
She studied music, drawing, French, literature,
sewing, dancing, housekeeping
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Who Is Elizabeth Ann Seton Cont.
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She married William Magee Seton, a New York
businessman in 1794
In eight years, she had five children
She organized a charity providing aids to poor
widows and orphans while rearing her own
children
Her father died ministering to Irish immigrants
with the plague, quarantined on Staten Island
She home schooled her husband’s two sisters,
Rebecca and Cecelia
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Who Is Elizabeth Ann Seton Cont.
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Seton shipping business collapsed after a ship
wrack. Their house and furniture were
repossessed
Elizabeth was equal to poverty as to wealth
On August 15, 1802, she received the
sacrament of the Lord’s supper
She and her husband visited their business
friends, Filippo and Antonio in Italy.
Her husband died after nine years of their
marriage when they visited Italy
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Who Is Elizabeth Ann Seton Cont.
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She visited a Catholic Church---the Church of
the Annunciation in Florence and was
impressed by the rich ornaments and the piety
of people
When Elizabeth was 30, she was a widowed
mother of five, a pauper since her husband’s
business totally collapsed.
She went through spiritual crisis feeling
exhausted and confused by the struggle
between the Catholics and Protestant
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Who Is Elizabeth Ann Seton Cont.
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She was received into the Catholic Church and
was instructed for her confirmation by Bishop
John Carroll
She was ostracized, criticized, in poor health,
with five children, a disgraced name and no
money in the New York City
Elizabeth began to teach in a Protestant school
She was forced to leave New York city when her
sister-in-law Cecelia wanted to convert to
Catholics
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Who Is Elizabeth Ann Seton Cont.
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She moved to Baltimore, a large catholic city by
the invitation of Father Dubourg and Bishop
Carroll
She started a school for girls
Accepting girls from the parish, free of charge
earned her the name “Founder of the Catholic
parochial school system”
Elizabeth was appointed directress and titled
“Mother Seton”
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Who Is Elizabeth Ann Seton Cont.
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She helped found St. Joseph’s Academy
The Sisters of Charity, grew spread,
starting schools, hospitals, colleges,
nursing homes and convents throughout
the world
Elizabeth Ann Seton died of a fever and
tuberculosis at the age of 47
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Seton’s Contribution to Education
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Elizabeth’s school at Emmitsburg is considered
the first Catholic school because it was free for
the Catholic children from the parish who helped
to subsidize it
Annabelle Melville: “The American Catholic
Parochial School System may be defined as a
system of schools by which free education in a
religious atmosphere under religious auspices
and with religious teachers is provided for the
children of parish.” (Cited in Murphy, p. 292)
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Seton’s Philosophy of Education
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She thought child as creature of God, endowed
with feelings, knowing, and spiritual faculties
She had a holistic view of education and was
concerned about both physical and spiritual wellbeing. (wholesome diet, healthy amusement, and
interesting recreation along with intensive
academic studies)
She kept the parents informed of their girls’
progress and enlisted their help
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Resources on Elizabeth Ann Seton
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http://www.emmitsburg.net/setonshrine/bio.htm
http://www.emmitsburg.net/setonshrine/
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/sainte04.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13739a.htm
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=180
http://www.stvincent.org/about/whoweare/seton.htm
http://www.seton.net/about_seton/setons_history_and_herita
ge/st_elizabeth_ann_seton
http://www.mystelizabeth.com/
http://www.seaseton.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Ann_Seton
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Books on Elizabeth Ann Seton
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Dirvin, Joseph. The Soul of Elizabeth Seton: A
Spiritual Portrait. San Francisco: Ignatius Press,
1990
Feeney, Leonard. Mother Seton: Saint Elizabeth
of New York (1774-1821). Still River, MA: The
Ravengate Press, 1991
Kelly, Ellin and Annabelle, Melville, eds.
Elizabeth Seton: Selected Writings. New York:
Paulist Press, 1987.
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Books on Elizabeth Ann Seton
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La Mantia, John Agnes. “Life and Work of Mother
Seton with Particular Emphasis on Her
Educational Principles.” Master’s thesis,
Department of Education. Chicago: DePaul
University, 1958
Melville, Annabelle. Elizabeth Bayley Seton 17741821. New York: Charles Scribner & Sons, 1960
Stone, Elaine Murray. Elizabeth Bayley Seton: An
American Saint. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1993
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