The daughter of Katherine C. and Lloyd E. Morris, Jr., Eleanor Morris grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Bangor, Maine; and Newton, Massachusetts. In 1964, she suffered a breakdown while attending her second semester at Bryn Mawr College (Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania), and was admitted to McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, where she stayed for the next six years. After her release, she was admitted to the facility off and on for the next 11 years. Morris had begun writing poetry, and, during 1968-1969, she attended a bi-weekly seminar at the hospital led by poet Anne Sexton. During the 1980s, Morris kept a record of her experiences as her memories of childhood abuse returned to her. Her poetry and journals mark her journey through times of illness and healing. Around 1982, Morris attended a social/vocational rehabilitation program, and beginning in 1985, worked at various Harvard University libraries. In 1995 Morris went on long term disability, and began attending a psychiatric day treatment program, which allowed her to avoid hospitalization and manage her symptoms. Throughout her adult life, religion played a part in her treatment and recovery, featured frequently in her journal writings. In 1995 she was confirmed into the Trinity Episcopal Church in Concord, Massachusetts, while also keeping a close connection with the Society of St. John the Evangelist in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
From the description of Papers of Eleanor Morris, 1960-2003 (inclusive). (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 421923819
