Mental Illness & the Victorian Mind 

About

Mental illness was misunderstood and often feared by Victorian society. Families had to make difficult decisions about how to handle their loved one's illness in an era where health issues were not discussed in public, and treatment options were limited or experimental.

Both Alexander Ramsey's brother, Justus, and son-in-law, Charles, suffered from mental illness, which impacted the entire family. In this theme tour, hear excerpts from newspaper accounts, family letters, and journals and discover how an influential family handled a very human reality.

This program is intended for age 18 and up.