Elizabeth Sewall Alcott

Elizabeth Sewall Alcott (June 24, 1835 - March 14, 1858) is best known as the model for Beth March in Little Women penned by her famous sister Louisa May Alcott. She was the third daughter of Amos Bronson Alcott and Abigail May Alcott.

Louisa wrote in "Little Women":

Elizabeth - or Beth as everyone called her - was a rosy, smooth-haired, bright-eyed girl, with a shy manner, a timid voice, and a peaceful expression, which was seldom disturbed. Her father called her ‘Little Tranquillity’ and the name suited her perfectly for she seemed to live in a happy world of her own, only venturing out to meet the few whom she trusted.

On March 14, 1858, Louisa wrote in her journal:

My dear Beth died at three in the morning after two years of patient pain. Last week she put her work away, saying the needle was too heavy ... Saturday she slept, and at midnight became unconscious, quietly breathing her life away till three; then, with one last look of her beautiful eyes, she was gone.