Dorothea Dix

Dorothea Lynde Dix (April 4, 1802July 17, 1887) was an American reformer during the Antebellum Period. She advocated for improved treatment of prisoners and the mentally ill. She was mainly concerned with the inhumane conditions faced by these groups. Her efforts led to many states taking steps to address this issue, with some building new facilities and some improving existing ones.