This edition covers the history of the suffragist movement from its beginnings to 1885. It was written and edited by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony and Matilda Joslyn Gage. Anthony had for years saved letters, newspapers clippings, and similar materials of historical value to the women's suffrage movement. Therefore, in addition to chronicling the movement's activities, this 3 volumes include reminiscences of movement leaders and analyses of the historical causes of the condition of women. They also contain a variety of primary materials, including letters, newspaper clippings, speeches, court transcripts and decisions, and conference reports. Volume 3 includes essays by local women's rights activists who provided details about the history of the movement at the state level.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815–1902) was an American suffragist, social activist, abolitionist and leading figure of the early women's rights movement.

Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906) was an American suffragist, social reformer and women's rights activist. Born into a Quaker family she became the New York state agent for the American Anti-Slavery Society. Anthony was also a close friend and confidant of Elizabeth Stanton.

Harriot Stanton Blatch (1856-1940) was a suffragist and daughter of Stanton who contributed a chapter on the brief history of AWSA (American Woman Suffrage Association)

Matilda Gage (1826–1898) was a suffragist, a Native American rights activist, an abolitionist and a freethinker.