In 1789 Hannah Lightbody, a well-educated and intelligent young woman of means, married Samuel Greg and found herself at the center of his cotton empire in the industrial heart of England. It was a man's world, in which women like Hannah were barred from politics, had few rights, and were expected to be little more than good, dutiful wives. Struggling to apply herself to household management, Hannah instead turned her attention to the well-being of...