"Prepared under the auspices of Radcliffe College." Preceeds Notable American women : the modern period ; and Notable American women : Completing the twentieth century.

Abolitionists -- Actresses and theatre managers -- Anthropologists and folklorists -- Architects and interior decorators -- Art collectors and patrons -- Art critics and historians -- Art educators -- Astronomers -- Authors -- Biologists -- Botanists and horticulturists -- Chemists and physicists -- Children's authors -- Circus performers -- Civil war figures -- Classicists -- College administrators -- Composers -- Dancers -- Educational reformers -- Educators of the handicapped -- Entrepreneurs -- Explorers and travelers -- Feminists -- Film actresses and directors.