Although she held an important position of educational leadership for eighteen years, Sarah Raymond Fitzwilliam's story has been largely overlooked. This historical biography of Fitzwilliam examines her abolitionist roots growing up on a stop of the Underground Railroad, her training at a "normal school," her tenure as a teacher, principal and the nation's first city school superintendent (Bloomington, Illinois 1874-1892). In the process, Noraian also chronicles American society during the Gilded and Progressive ages.

This historical biography examines Sarah Raymond Fitzwilliam's abolitionist roots growing up on a stop of the Underground Railroad, her training at a 'normal school,' her tenure as a teacher, principal and the nation's first city school superintendent (Bloomington, Illinois 1874-1892).