Astell, Mary (1666-1731) A British author who participated in religious and political controversies. She is often referred to as a proto-feminist.
Astell, Mary (1666-1731) A British author who participated in religious and political controversies. She is often referred to as a proto-feminist.
Cary, Elizabeth (1585-1639) Author of a tragic drama, a history of Edward II's reign, and translator of a Catholic polemic. Also as a young girl she translated the map descriptions written by Abraham Ortelius as The Mirror of the Worlde.
Duras, Claire de Durfort (1777-1828) French novelist.
Egerton, Elizabeth Cavendish (1626-1663) English noblewoman whose "loose papers" were compiled into a manuscript after her death.
Franco, Veronica (1546-1591) Italian poet and courtesan.
Grafigny, Mme de (1695-1758) French novelist and playwright whose Letters of a Peruvian Womanwas an overnight success in Paris.
Maintenon, Madame de (1635-1719) Courtier and companion to Louis XIV. She took a special interest in the education of young women.
Moulsworth, Martha (17th century) English woman who wrote an autobiographical poem.
Porter, Agnes (1750?-1814) A governess whose journal and letters have been published.
Schurman, Anna Maria van (1607-1678) Student and scholar who was renowned for her learning.
Sevigne, Marie de (1626-1696) The most famous letter writer of the seventeenth century.
Riccoboni, Marie Jeanne (1713-1792) French novelist who emphasized women's emotions and feelings.
Speght, Rachel (1597-?) An English polemicist and poet.
Thon, Eleonore (1753-1807) German novelist.
Wesley, Susanna (1670-1742) Long recognized as an influence on her son, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, she is now recognized as a practical theologian in her own right.
Wroth, Mary (c.1586-c.1651) English author best known for Urania, a pastoral romance.