Kent, Elizabeth Thacher, 1868-1952

Variant names

Dates:

Birth 1868-09-22

Death 1952-08-14

Biographical notes:

Elizabeth Thacher Kent (b. Sept. 22, 1868–d. Aug. 14, 1952) was an environmentalist and women's rights activist. Born Elizabeth Sherman Thacher, she was the daughter of Thomas Anthony Thacher. Her brother was Sherman Day Thacher and she was a descendant of Founding Father Roger Sherman. She married William Kent in 1890 and relocated to California. Together she had seven children, including professor Sherman Kent, politician Roger Kent, and artist Adaline Kent.

The Kents purchased 611 acres of land and donated 295 acres to the federal government, which later became Muir Woods; Elizabeth and John Muir were good friends. The Kents moved to Washington, DC, 1911 when William was elected to Congress. There, she became involved in the Woman's Suffrage movement and was arrested in 1917 for picketing the White House. Later, she became the president of the Marin County chapter of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.