Vindication of the Rights of Women - Paperback

by Mary Wollstonecraft (Author)

Written during a time of great political turmoil, social anxiety, and against the backdrop of the French Revolution, Wollstonecraft's argument continues to challenge and inspire. One of the earliest contributions to feminist philosophy, Wollstonecraft's powerful treatise on the value of women in society tackles many of the patriarchal attitudes prevalent in the 18th century. In addition to championing the notion that women enjoy all the same fundamental rights as men, Wollstonecraft argues that men benefit from treating their wives as companions rather than commodities. Touching upon many themes in women's education, A Vindications of the Rights of Woman remains a bold and powerful read.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) was born in London in 1759. As part of a large family she had six siblings. Due to poverty and a violent father, Mary left home to become a lady's companion. Her mother's ill health brought her back home where she nursed her mother until she died. Mary then moved in with her friend Frances Blood. Later Frances, Mary and her sisters opened a school together. But when Frances got married and moved to Portugal to aid her health, Mary followed her to help nurse her friend. Sadly Frances died and this loss inspired Mary to write her first novel, Mary: A Fiction. Mary returned to the UK and found a job as a governess. After a year Mary left to follow her ambition to be an author. Moving to London she worked as a translator to pay the bills while she wrote. After a failed love affair with Henry Fuseli, Mary moved to France where the writing of Vindication of the Rights of Men made her famous overnight. Mary married William Godwin in 1797 and died giving birth to their daughter, Mary.