13 Facts About Linda Gilbert

Linda Gilbert moved with her family to Chicago, Illinois, though accounts conflict on the age at which this happened, with some specifying fifteen months, and others saying she was aged 4.

Linda Gilbert's home was opposite the jail of Cook County, Illinois.

At the age of 11, Gilbert lent some books from her grandfather's library to the prisoners there.

Linda Gilbert had three "practical ladies" who worked for her, furnishing houses and procuring clothes, lodging and employment for released prisoners.

In 1877, Linda Gilbert attended the National Prison Congress, again focussing on discharged prisoners.

Linda Gilbert was compared with Elizabeth B Chase, who was appointed by the Governor of Rhode Island to be prison inspector and spoke at the international prisons congress.

Linda Gilbert developed several entrepreneurial projects as a source of funds for her philanthropic projects.

Linda Gilbert patented several devices, including a noiseless rail for railroads, and a wire clothes-pin, and established Linda Gilbert's Tax and Trade Record.

In 1883 and 84, Linda Gilbert was a regular visitor to Alexander Jefferson, who was tried and convicted of murdering two and attempting to murder his girlfriend and brother in what became known as the Crow Hill Murders.

In 1886, Linda Gilbert proposed an extension to the Brooklyn Bridge, only two years after it had opened.

Linda Gilbert suggested glass elevator columns be attached to the bridge towers, so that visitors could ascend to an observatory and look out over the city.

Linda Gilbert proposed that a small fee be charged for this, of which three quarters would go to the bridge's upkeep, and the other quarter would fund her charity work.

Linda Gilbert felt society more responsible than the criminal for crime.