Elizabeth Packard (1816–1897) was an American women’s rights and mental health reform activist who became famous after her husband had her committed to an insane asylum in Illinois in 1860 because she publicly disagreed with his religious views and assertive opinions. At the time, Illinois law allowed husbands to institutionalize their wives without a public hearing. She spent three years in the asylum, steadfastly insisting she was sane. After her release a jury quickly found her to be sane, le
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Elizabeth Packard (1816–1897) was an American women’s rights and mental health reform activist who became famous after her husband had her committed to an insane asylum in Illinois in 1860 because she publicly disagreed with his religious views and assertive opinions. At the time, Illinois law allowed husbands to institutionalize their wives without a public hearing. She spent three years in the asylum, steadfastly insisting she was sane. After her release a jury quickly found her to be sane, le
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