Leigh, Frances Butler (1838–1910)

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Leigh, Frances Butler (1838–1910)

American entrepreneur. Name variations: Fanny Butler. Born 1838; died 1910; dau. of Pierce Butler (Georgia plantation owner) and Fanny Kemble (English-born actress, author, abolitionist); m. Reverend James Wentworth Leigh, in 1871.

Reconstruction-era plantation manager, worked to convert plantation to pay-basis (1867–71); moved to England with husband (1871); returned to plantation and repaired it to prosperity (1873).

See also Women in World History.

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