Wollstonecraft Mary (1759–1797) was an English writer, philosopher, and advocate of women's rights. She is best known for her book "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" (1792), in which she argued that women should have equal rights to education and employment.
Wollstonecraft's work laid the foundation for modern feminism, and she is considered one of the most important figures in the early feminist movement.
Mary Wollstonecraft was an English writer and philosopher who advocated for women's equality ¹. She was born on April 27, 1759, in London and died on September 10, 1797, at the age of 38 ². Here are some key points about her life and work.
Early Life:
- She was born into a farming family suffering difficult circumstances, largely due to her father's actions.
- She was essentially self-taught and determined to improve her family's fortunes.
Career:
- Wollstonecraft worked as a companion to a wealthy lady, a governess, and eventually opened her own nonconformist school.
- She was a keen writer and published her first book, "Thoughts on the Education of Daughters," in 1787.
- She became a regular contributor to Joseph Johnson's literary magazine, the Analytical Review, and met radical thinkers like Thomas Paine and William Godwin.
Major Works:
- "A Vindication of the Rights of Men" (1790)
- "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" (1792)
- "An Historical and Moral View of Origins and Progress of the French Revolution" (1794)
- "Letters Written During a Short Residence in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark" (1796)
Personal Life:
- She had two daughters, Fanny and Mary, with two different partners.
- She married William Godwin, a political philosopher, in 1797, and died shortly after giving birth to her second daughter.
Legacy:
- Wollstonecraft is widely credited as the founder of feminism.
- Her book "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" caused controversy but sold well and has been recognized as a pioneering work in feminist philosophy.
- She remains an important figure in the history of feminist thought and continues to inspire women's rights movements around the world.
Contribution in political science
Mary Wollstonecraft is considered a pioneer in the field of political science, particularly for her advocacy of women's rights and her contributions to feminist political theory. Her most famous work, "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" (1792), argued for women's equality in education and civil rights, challenging traditional views of women's inferiority and advocating for their full participation in society. Wollstonecraft's ideas laid the foundation for later feminist movements and influenced political thinkers on issues of gender equality and human rights.
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