Godey's Lady's Book, a magazine aimed at women, was a leading influence in the cultural and intellectual lives -- including fashion -- of 19th-century American women.
Louis Antoine Godey (1804-1878), whose family fled France during the French Revolution, was the joint founder of the magazine in 1830.
Full of energy and enthusiasm, he demonstrated great self-confidence. In his popular "Arm Chair" chats he shared with his devoted readers his problems and his successes.
In the early years, the magazine contained only reprinted English works. When Godey hired Sarah Josepha Hale as editor, that changed and the magazine began its climb to influence.
