Vassar College, 1887–1891

Drawing mainly on family letters, this chapter treats Rickert’s undergraduate years at Vassar College. She was a stellar student, graduating as one of eight with honors and as valedictorian. She made lasting friends, and among the faculty she especially admired History Professor Lucy Maynard Salmon. In 1888 her sister Margaret was born, and in Summer 1889 Edith became close with Mac’s successor, Ned Kelsey. By finally rejecting Ned she was also rejecting a potentially happy marriage and a life resembling her mother’s.