This book presents a biographical account of the life of Alice Freeman Palmer (1855-1902) who is credited with expanding academic horizons for women in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It tells of the obstacles she confronted as she chose both marriage and a professional career as well as illuminates this transitional period in the history of educated, middle-class women at the turn of the century. Using a variety of largely untapped sources, the author tells of Palmer's rise to become president of Wellesley College before the age of 30, and her temporary voluntary positions where she influenced women's education: as trustee of Wellesley College; an adviser to Radcliffe, Barnard, and Pembroke; and as a popular lecturer on women and higher education. The book also tells of her appointment as the first dean of the newly founded University of Chicago and her continuing struggle to ensure women's acceptance in education as students, faculty, and staff. (Contains a bibliography of approximately 200 items and an index.) (GLR)