Ann Eliza Young

About the Author

Ann Eliza Young, a pioneering voice against the oppressive practices of 19th-century Mormonism, was born into the faith as the daughter of Brigham Young, the church's influential leader. Raised in the isolated world of polygamy, she became one of his nineteen wives in 1863, enduring the profound personal and emotional toll of plural marriage. Defying the expectations of her upbringing, Young left the fold in 1873 and emerged as a bold critic, authoring her seminal memoir Wife No. 19: The Story of a Life in Bondage, Being a Complete Exposé of Mormonism, and Revealing the Sorrows, Sacrifices and Sufferings of Women in Polygamy. Through her unflinching narrative, she exposed the harsh realities faced by women in polygamous unions, sparking national debate and contributing to the eventual federal crackdown on the practice. Young's courageous testimony before Congress and her lecture tours across America cemented her legacy as an advocate for women's rights and religious freedom, inspiring generations to challenge systemic injustices.