Ida Lewis (lighthouse keeper)

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Ida Lewis

Idawalley Zorada Lewis (later Lewis-Wilson) (25 February 1842 – 24 October 1911) was an American lighthouse keeper noted for her heroics.

Lewis was born in Newport, Rhode Island, the daughter of a lighthouse keeper. Her father was appointed keeper at Lime Rock Light, but he fell ill in 1857 and she took over his duties. From then until his death in 1872 she served as unofficial keeper. Her mother was then appointed to the position; Ida herself received the same appointment in 1879.

Lewis was called "the Bravest Woman in America", and her exploits were detailed in national newspapers such as Harper's Weekly, the New York Tribune, and Putnam's Magazine. She met both President Ulysses S. Grant and Vice-President Schuyler Colfax, and was awarded a Gold Lifesaving Medal for her work. She is credited with having saved 18 lives during the 39 years she spent at Lime Rock.

Lewis married once, briefly, but spent most of her career alone at Lime Rock. She died of a stroke in 1911 while tending to the light. In her honor, the station was renamed Ida Lewis Lime Rock Light, the only time that a keeper has been so honored in American history. A United States Coast Guard buoy tender (Ida Lewis, WLM 551, stationed in Newport, Rhode Island) also bears her name.