Origins & Early Life

Mary Astell (12 November 1666 – 11 May 1731) was an English proto-feminist author, philosopher, and rhetorician who advocated for equal educational opportunities for women. Astell is primarily remembered as one of England's inaugural advocates for women's rights and some commentators consider her to have been "the first English feminist". Astell's works, particularly A Serious Proposal to the Ladies and Some Reflections Upon Marriage, argue for the fundamental intellectual equality between men and women. Her philosophical writings are thought to have influenced subsequent generations of educated women, including the literary group known as the Bluestockings, whose discussions of literature, science, and philosophy often centred on issues related to women's education and equality.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Astell, who never married, formed the majority of her close personal relationships with women. During the early 1700s, she withdrew from public life and dedicated herself to planning and managing a charitable school for girls. Astell viewed herself as self-reliant and took pride in advancing her mission to rescue her gender from oppression. Despite Astell's contribution to the feminist cause, there is a notable...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

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