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Collective 18th-century biographies of literary women

During the eighteenth century, there were several attempts to describe a "women's literary tradition." This table compares six eighteenth-century collections of notable women: George Ballard's Memoirs of several ladies of Great Britain (1752),[2] John Duncombe's The Feminead (1754),[3] the Biographium Faemineum (Anon., 1766),[4] Mary Scott's The Female Advocate (1775),[5] Richard Polwhele's The Unsex'd Females[6] (1798), and Mary Hay's Female Biography (1803).[7]

Anna Letitia Barbauld - poet and writerElizabeth Carter - translatorAngelica Kauffman - artistElizabeth Sheridan - singerHannah More - writerCharlotte Lennox - writerCatharine Macaulay - historianElizabeth Montagu - Leader of Blue Stocking SocietyElizabeth Griffith - playwright and novelistUse your cursor to explore (or Click icon to enlarge)
Portraits in the Characters of the Muses in the Temple of Apollo by Richard Samuel, 1778, include Elizabeth Carter, Angelica Kauffman, Anna Laetitia Barbauld, Catharine Macaulay, Elizabeth Montagu, Elizabeth Griffith, Hannah More, Elizabeth Ann Sheridan and Charlotte Lennox.[1] Use a cursor to see who is who.

Collective 18th-century biographies of literary women

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As the focus of this chart is British literary figures, broadly defined, two of the texts have been treated selectively because of their wider range.[4][7] Three of these texts are collective biographies,[2][4][7] while three of them are more pointed political interventions in contemporary debates about women's roles.[3][5][6] Three are poems[3][5][6] and three are dictionaries,[2][4][7] but they all list, and comment on, literary women and their accomplishments.

NB: In the columns, readers can find subjects' names or pseudonyms as presented in the text. A number in front of a name indicates the relative position of that name in the text. Users may reorder some elements of the table.

Subject Dates Ballard's Memoirs (1752)[2] Duncombe's Feminead (1757)[3] Biographium (1766)[4][8] Scott's Female advocate (1775)[5][9] Polwhele's Unsex'd females (1798)[6] Hays's Female Biography (1803)[7][10]
Anon. 1773 (fl.) — — — "A lady"[11] — —
Aragon, Catherine of 1485–1536 Queen Catherine — "Queen Catherine, Queen of Henry VIII" — — —
Armine, Mary 1676 (death) — — — — — Lady Mary Armyne
Arundell, Mary 1557 (death) Mary Countess of Arundel — Countess of Arundel — — Mary, Countess of Arundel
Ascham, Margaret 1528–1592 Margaret Ascham — Margaret Ascham — — Margaret Ascham
Askew, Anne 1521–1546 Anne Askew, Alias Kyme — Anne Askew — — Anne Askew
Astell, Mary 1666–1731 Mary Astell — "Mary Astell, an Ingenius Writer" — — Mary Astell
Bacon, Ann 1528–1610 Lady Bacon — "Lady Anna Bacon, Governess to Edward VI" 11. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83) — Lady Bacon
Barbauld, Anna Laetitia[12] 1743–1825 — — — 43. Aiken 02. "veteran BARBAULD"/Miss Aiken[13] —
Barber, Mary 1685–1755 — — — 23. "HIBERNIA'S other fav'rite name" (l. 195) — —
Basset, Mary 1523 – 1572 Mary Roper — "Mary Roper, [grand]Daughter of Thomas More" 07. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83) — Mary Roper
Baynard, Ann 1672–1697 Anne Baynard — Anne Bayard — — Ann Baynard
Beauclerk, Diana 1734–1808 — — — — 18. BEAUCLERK —
Beaufort, Margaret 1443–1509 Margaret Countess of Richmond and Derby — Margaret, Countess of Richmond and Derby — — Margaret Beaufort
Behn, Aphra 1640–1689 — 06. Behn[13] Afra Behn — — Aphara Behn
Berners, Juliana 1388 (birth) Juliana Barnes, Alias Berners — "Juliana Barnes, A Prioress" — — Juliana Berners, or Barnes
Bland, Elizabeth 1681–1712 (fl.) Elizabeth Bland — — — — Elizabeth Bland
Boevey, Catherina 1669–1726 Catherine Bovey — Catherine Bovey — — Catherine Bovey
Bradstreet, Anne 1612–1672 — — "Anne Broadstreet, A Poetess of New England" — — Anne Broadstreet
Brooke, Frances 1724–1789 — 17. CÆLIA/Mrs. Brooke [14] — — — —
Burnet, Elizabeth 1661–1709 Elizabeth Burnet — Elizabeth Burnet — — Elizabeth Burnet
Burney, Frances 1752–1840 — — — — 16. BURNEY —
Burrell, Sophia 1753–1802 — — — — lady Burrell[15] —
Bury, Elizabeth 1644–1720 Elizabeth Bury — "Elizabeth Bury, Versed in all the Sciences" — — Elizabeth Bury
Carter, Elizabeth[12] 1717–1806 — 16. ELIZA/Miss Eliza C--- — — 11. CARTER[13] —
Cavendish, Elizabeth 1626–1663 Elizabeth Countess of Bridgwater — Countess of Bridwater — — —
Cavendish, Margaret 1624-1674 Margaret Dutchess of Newcastle — Margaret, Dutchess of Newcastle 16. NEWCASTLE — Margaret Cavendish, duchess of Newcastle
Celesia, Dorothea 1738–1790 — — — 39. "INDOLENCE" — —
Centlivre, Susannah 1669–1723 — 05. Centlivre[13] Susannah Centlivre — — Susannah Centrelivre
Chandler, Mary 1687–1745 — — Mary Chandler 24. CHANDLER — Mary Chandler
Chapone, Hester 1727–1801 — 21. DELIA[16] — Mrs. Chapone[17] 12. CHAPONE Mrs. Chapone
Chidley, Katherine 1616–1653 (fl.) Katherine Chidley — Katherine Chidleigh — — —
Chudleigh, Mary 1656–1710 Lady Chudleigh — Lady Mary Chudleigh 21. CHUDLEIGH — Lady Mary Chudleigh
Clement, Margaret 1508–1570 Margaret Clement — Margaret Clement — — Margaret Clement
Clifford, Anne 1590–1676 Anne Countess of Pempbroke — Anne, Countess of Pembroke — — Anne Clifford, countess of Pembroke, Dorset and Montgomery
Clinton, Elizabeth 1570–1638 Elizabeth Countess of Lincoln — Elizabeth Lincoln — — Elizabeth, countess of Lincoln
Cockburn, Catharine Trotter 1679–1749 — 03. COCKBURN Catherine Cockburn — — Catherine Cockburn
Cooke, Mildred 1526–1689 Lady Burleigh — Mildred Burleigh 13. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83) — Lady Mildred Burleigh
Cooper, Elizabeth 1698–1761 — — — 27. "Thou who did'st pierce the shades of gothic night" (l. 235) — —
Craven, Elizabeth 1750–1828 — — — — Margravine of Ansbach[15] —
Crewe, Emma 1780–1850 — — — — 09. EMMA CREWE[13] —
Dauncey, Elizabeth 1506–1564 Elizabeth Dancy — — 05. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83) — Elizabeth Dancy
Davies, Eleanor 1590–1652 Lady Eleanor Davies — Lady Eleanor Davies — — Lady Eleanor Davies
Dobson, Susannah 1742–1795 — — — — Mrs. Dobson[15] —
Du Bois, Dorothea 1728–1774 — — — — — Dorothea Dubois
Duncombe, Susanna 1725–1812 — 20. EUGENIA[16] — — — —
Elstob, Elizabeth 1683–1756 — — — — — Elizabeth Elstob
Fane, Elizabeth 1568 (death) Lady Elizabeth Fane — Lady Elizabeth Fane — — Lady Elizabeth Fane
Fielding, Sarah 1710–1768 — — — 28. FIELDING — Sarah Fielding
Finch, Anne 1661–1720 Anne Countess of Winchelsea 02. WINCHELSEA Countess of Winchelsea — — Anne Finch, countess of Winchilsea
FitzAlan, Mary 1540–1557 Lady Mary Howard — "Lady Mary Howard, Wife of Thomas Duke of Norfolk" — — —
Gethin, Grace 1676–1697 Lady Gethin — Lady Grace Gethia — — Lady Grace Gethin
Greville, Frances 1724–1789 — — — 33. GREVILLE — —
Grey, Katherine 1540–1568 — — — Lady Catherine Grey[15] — —
Grey, Jane 1537–1554 Lady Jane Gray — Lady Jane Gray 02. "beauteous Dudley" (l. 37) lady Jane Gray[15] Lady Jane Gray
Grierson, Constantia 1705-1732 Constantia Grierson — "Constantia Grierson, an Irish Lady" 22. CONSTANTIA — Constantia Grierson
Griffith, Elizabeth[12] 1727–1793 — — — 31. "another SAPPHO with a purer mind" (l. 280) — —
Halkett, Anne 1623–1699 Lady Halket — Anna Halket — — Lady Anna Halket
Harcourt, Harriet Eusebia[18] 1705–1745 — — Harriot Eusebia Harcourt — — Harriet Eusebia Harcourt
Hastings, Elizabeth 1682–1739 — — Lady Elizabeth Hastings — — Lady Elizabeth Hastings
Hays, Mary 1759–1843 — — — — 07. "flippant HAYS"[13] —
Haywood, Eliza 1693–1756 — — — — — Elizabeth Haywood
Heron, Cecily 1507 (birth) Cecilia Heron — "Cecilia Heron, Daughter of Sir Thomas More" 06. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83) — Cecilia Heron
Hopton, Susanna 1627–1709 Susanna Hopton — Susanna Hopton — — Susanna Hopton
Howard, Jane 1537–1593 Jane Countess of Westmoreland — Jane, Countess of Westmoreland — — —
Inglis, Esther 1570-1624 Esther Inglis — "Esther Inglis, famous for Fine Writing" — — Esther Inglis
Ingram, Anne 1696–1764 — 12. IRWIN — — — —
Jebb, Ann 1735–1812 — — — — "a Jebb"[13][15] —
Jones, Mary 1707–1778 — — — 25. JONES — —
Kauffman, Angelica[12] 1741–1807 — — — — 08. "classic KAUFFMAN"[13] —
Kempe, Margery 1373-1440 Margery Kempe — Margery Kempe — — —
Killigrew, Anne 1660–1685 Anne Killigrew — Anne Killigrew 17. "illustrious KILLIGREW" (l. 93) — Anne Killigrew
Killigrew, Catherine 1530-1583 Katherine Killigrew — Katharine Killigrew 14. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83) — Katherine Killigrew
Leapor, Mary 1722–1746 — 15. Young LEAPOR — — — Mary Leapor
Legge, Elizabeth 1580–1685 Elizabeth Legge — Elizabeth Legge — — Elizabeth Legge
Lennox, Charlotte[12] 1730–1804 — — — 30. LENOX — —
Lucar, Elizabeth 1510–1537 Elizabeth Lucar — Elizabeth Lucar — — Elizabeth Lucar
Lumley, Jane 1537–1578 Lady Joanna Lumley — "Joanna Lumley, Wife of John Lord Lumley" — — Joanna, lady Lumley
Macaulay, Catharine[12] 1731–1791 — — — 35. MACAULAY "a Macaulay"[13][15] Catherine Macaulay Graham
Madan, Judith 1702–1781 — 14. CORNELIA[16] — — — —
Manley, Delarivier 1663–1724 — 04. "modern Manley"[13] — — — —
Marie de France 1160–1215 (fl.) — — — — — "Mary, an Anglo-Norman poetess"
Masham, Damaris Cudworth 1658–1708 Lady Masham — Lady Damaris Mashain — — Damaris, lady Masham
Masters, Mary 1698–1761 — — — 26. "ingenious MASTERS" (l. 223) — —
Monck, Mary 1677–1715 Honourable Mrs. Monk — "Mrs. Hon. Monk, Daughter of Lord Molesworth" 20. MIRANDA — Mrs. Monk
Montagu, Elizabeth[12] 1718–1800 — — — 38. MONTAGU 10. MONTAGU —
More, Hannah[12] 1745–1833 — — — Miss More[19] 21. MORE —
North, Dudleya 1675–1712 Honourable Mrs. Dudleya North — "Hon. Mrs. Dudley North, a Daughter of Lord North and Grey" — — Honorable Mrs. Dudley North
Norton, Frances 1640–1731 Lady Norton — — — — Lady Frances Norton
Norwich, Julian of 1343–1443 Juliana, Anchoret of Norwich — Juliana, Anchoret of Norwich — — Juliana (anchoret of Norwich)
Pakington, Dorothy 1623–1679 Lady Pakington — "Dorothy Pakington, Wife of Sir John Pakington" — — Dorothy, Lady Pakington
Parr, Catherine 1512–1548 Queen Katherine Parr — "Catherine Parr, Queen of Henry VIII" 01. "Illustrious Parr" (l. 32) — —
Parry, Blanche 1508-1589 Blanch Parry — "Blanch Parry, Maid of Honour to Queen Elizabeth" — — —
Peckard, Martha 1729–1805 — 18. CLIO[16] — — — —
Pennington, Elizabeth 1732–1759 — 19. FLAVIA[16] — — — —
Pennington, Sarah 1720–1783 — — — 37. PENNINGTON — —
Philips, Katherine 1631–1664 Katherine Philips 01. "[T]he chaste ORINDA" "Katherine Phillips, the Famous Orinda" 18. "our fair ORINDA" (l. 101) — Katherine Phillips
Phillips, Teresia Constantia 1709–1765 — 07. Philips[13] — — — —
Pilkington, Laetitia 1709–1750 — 08. Pilkington[13] "Mrs. Loetitia Pilkington of Ireland" Mrs. Pilkington[15] — Laetitia Pilkington
Pix, Mary 1666–1709 — — — — — Mrs. Pix
Pye, Jael 1737–1782 — — — 42. "THOU" (l. 415)[20] — —
Radcliffe, Ann 1764–1823 — — — — 17. RADCLIFFE —
Rich, Mary 1625–1678 — — — — — Mary, countess of Warwick
Roberts, Rose 1730–1788 — — — 41. "THOU" (l. 407)[21] — —
Robinson, Maria Elizabeth 1775–1818 — — — — "her (Mary Robinson's) beautiful daughter"[15] —
Robinson, Mary 1757–1800 — — — — 03. ROBINSON[13] —
Roper, Margaret 1505–1544 Margaret Roper — "Margaret Roper, Daughter of Sir Thomas More" 04. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83) — Margaret Roper
Rowe, Elizabeth Singer 1674–1737 — 10. ROWE Elizabeth Rowe — Mrs. Rowe[15] Elizabeth Rowe
Rowlett, Margaret 1558 (death) (brief mention) — — 15. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83) — —
Russell, Elizabeth 1528–1609 Lady Russel — Lady Elizabeth Russel 12. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83) — Lady Russel
Russell, Lucy 1580–1627 — — — — — Lucy Haerin
Russell, Rachel 1636–1723 — — — 19. RUSSELL — Lady Rachel Russel
Seward, Anna 1742–1809 — — — — 13. SEWARD —
Seymour, Anne 1538–1588 Lady Anne Seymour — Anne Seymour 08. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83) — Ladies Anne, Margaret, and Jane Seymour
Seymour, Frances 1699 (birth) — 11. SOMERSET — — — —
Seymour, Jane 1541–1561 Lady Jane Seymour — — 10. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83) — Ladies Anne, Margaret, and Jane Seymour
Seymour, Margaret 1540 (birth) Lady Margaret Seymour — — 09. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83) — Ladies Anne, Margaret, and Jane Seymour
Sheridan, Frances 1724–1766 — — — — — Frances Sheridan
Sidney, Mary 1561–1621 Mary Countess of Pembroke — Mary Sydney Pembroke The Countess of Pembroke[15] — Mary Sydney, countess of Pembroke
Smith, Charlotte Turner 1749–1806 — — — — 04. "charming SMITH"[13] —
Spencer, Dorothy 1617–1684 — — — — — Dorothy, countess of Sunderland
Steele, Anne 1717–1778 — — — 32. "Theodosia" — —
Stuart, Arabella 1575–1615 Lady Arabella Seymour — Arabella Seymour — — Lady Arabella Seymour
Stuart, Mary 1542–1587 Mary Queen of Scotland — Mary of Scotland — — Mary, queen of Scots
Talbot, Catherine 1721–1770 — — — 40. TALBOT — —
Thomas, Elizabeth 1675 – 1731 — — Corinna Thomas — — Mrs. Thomas
Piozzi, Hester Thrale 1740–1821 — — — — 14. "gay PIOZZI" —
Tishem, Catherine 1595 (death) Catherine Tisthem — "Catherine Tishen, a Great Linguist" — — Catherine Tishem
Fielding, Elizabeth 1694–1754 — — — 29. "charming TOLLETT" (l. 266) — Elizabeth Tollet
Tudor, Elizabeth 1533–1603 Queen Elizabeth — Queen Elizabeth 03. Eliza — Elizabeth, queen of England
Tudor, Mary 1516–1558 Queen Mary — "Queen Mary, daughter of Henry VIII" — — —
Vane, Frances Anne 1715–1788 — 09. Vane[13] — — — —
Walker, Elizabeth 1623–1690 Elizabeth Walker — Elizabeth Walker — — —
Weston, Elizabeth Jane 1581–1612 Elizabeth Jane Weston — Elizabeth Jane Weston — — Elizabeth Jane Weston
Wharton, Anne 1659–1685 Anne Wharton — Anna Wharton — — Anne Wharton
Whateley, Mary 1738–1825 — — — 34. "Daughter of SHENSTONE" (l. 305)[22] — —
Wheatley, Phillis 1753–1784 — — — Phillis Wheateley[23] — —
Williams, Anna 1706–1783 — — — 36. ANNA — —
Williams, Helen Maria Williams 1759–1827 — — — — 05. HELEN[13] —
Wollstonecraft, Mary 1759–1797 — — — — 01. Wollstonecraft[13] —
Wright, Mehetabel Wesley 1697–1750 — 13. WRIGHT — — — —
Wroth, Mary 1587–1653 — — Lady Mary Wroth — — —
Yearsley, Ann 1753–1806 — — — — 06. YEARSELEY[13] —

Texts

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  • Anon (1766). Biographium faemineum: the female worthies, or, Memoirs of the most illustrious ladies, of all ages and nations, who have been eminently distinguished for their magnanimity, learning, genius, virtue, piety, and other excellent endowments. London: S. Crowder.. Vol. II is available online at HathiTrust.
  • Ballard, George (1752). Memoirs of several ladies of Great Britain, who have been celebrated for their writings, or skill in the learned languages, arts and sciences. Oxford: W. Jackson. hdl:2027/njp.32101071964751. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  • Duncombe, John (1757). The Feminead. Or, female genius. A poem. London: M. Cooper. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  • Hays, Mary (1803). Female Biography, or Memoirs of Illustrious and Celebrated Women of All Ages and Countries. London: R. Phillips.
  • Polwhele, Richard (1798). The Unsex'd Females: a poem, addressed to the author of the Pursuits of Literature. London: Cadell and Davies. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  • Scott, Mary (1775). The Female Advocate; a poem occasioned by reading Mr. Duncombe's Feminead. London: Joseph Johnson. Retrieved 2 March 2015.

Notes

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  1. ^ Portraits in the Characters of the Muses in the Temple of Apollo, Richard Samuel, 1778, National Portrait Gallery, accessed February 2010
  2. ^ a b c d Ballard, George (1752). Memoirs of several ladies of Great Britain, who have been celebrated for their writings, or skill in the learned languages, arts and sciences. Oxford: W. Jackson. hdl:2027/njp.32101071964751. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d Duncombe, John (1757). The Feminead. Or, female genius. A poem. London: M. Cooper. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e Anon (1766). Biographium faemineum: the female worthies, or, Memoirs of the most illustrious ladies, of all ages and nations, who have been eminently distinguished for their magnanimity, learning, genius, virtue, piety, and other excellent endowments. London: S. Crowder.
  5. ^ a b c d Scott, Mary (1775). The Female Advocate; a poem occasioned by reading Mr. Duncombe's Feminead. London: Joseph Johnson. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d Polwhele, Richard (1798). The Unsex'd Females: a poem, addressed to the author of the Pursuits of Literature. London: Cadell and Davies. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d e Hays, Mary (1803). Female Biography, or Memoirs of Illustrious and Celebrated Women of All Ages and Countries. London: R. Phillips.
  8. ^ As this chart does not include all the subjects treated in the Biographium faemineum, the subjects are not numbered. The entries are arranged alphabetically in the original text.
  9. ^ Within the main body of the poem, Scott also celebrates three men who support women writers: she names John Duncombe (l. 469) and Thomas Seward (l. 479), and refers to a third, William Steele IV, by the name "Philander" (l. 489).
  10. ^ As this chart does not include all three hundred subjects treated in Female biography, the subjects are not numbered. The entries are arranged alphabetically in the original text. For the full list, see List of women in Female Biography.
  11. ^ In the introduction, Scott mentions "poems by a lady" "lately published" by G. Robinson in Paternoster Row as one of four writers with whose work she became acquainted too late to include. Possibly she refers to this publication: Unknown, [Woman]. Original poems, translations, and imitations, From the French, &c. By a lady. 1773. The Women's Print History Project, 2019, title ID 5349. Accessed 2022-06-25. WPHP
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h Represented in Portraits in the Characters of the Nine Muses in the Temple of Apollo by Richard Samuel, 1778.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r This writer is mentioned in order to provide a negative example.
  14. ^ According to a footnote, the section about Brooke was written by an unnamed "Sister-Muse."
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Mentioned in a note or notes, not in the body of the text.
  16. ^ a b c d e Duncombe does not name this writer; he only employs a conventional pastoral pseudonym and offers hints.
  17. ^ In the introduction, Scott mentions Hester Chapone as one of four writers with whose work she became acquainted too late to include.
  18. ^ Harriet Eusebia Harcourt is listed in collective biographies into the 19th century, but no evidence of her existence has been discovered. See Thompson Cooper, Notes and Queries (7th series, VIII July 1889, p. 63; Internet Archive) and D'Monté, Rebecca, and Nicole Pohl, Female communities, 1600-1800: literary visions and cultural realities (Macmillan/St. Martin's Press, 2000; Internet Archive).
  19. ^ In the introduction, Scott mentions Hannah More as one of four writers with whose work she became acquainted too late to include.
  20. ^ Pye, Jael Henrietta. Poems. By a lady. The Women's Print History Project, 2019, title ID 4652. Accessed 2022-06-25. WPHP
  21. ^ "Roberts, Rose." The Women's Print History Project, 2019, Person ID 2537. Accessed 2022-06-25. WPHP.
  22. ^ Fullard, Joyce. "Notes on Mary Whateley and Mary Scott's The Female Advocate." The Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America 1987 81:1, 74-76. DOI
  23. ^ In the introduction, Scott mentions Phillis Wheatley as one of four writers with whose work she became acquainted too late to include.

See also

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References

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  • Walker, Gina Luria (2017). The Invention of Female Biography. Routledge.
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