Dorothea Dix was an American activist and reformer who played a significant role in advocating for better care and treatment of individuals with mental illnesses. In the mid-19th century, she traveled across the United States, documenting the inhumane conditions of prisons and asylums. Dix presented her findings to state legislatures, leading to the establishment of numerous mental asylums and the improvement of living conditions for the mentally ill. She also helped recruit and train nurses for the Union Army during the Civil War. Overall, her work contributed to the development of modern mental health care in the United States.
