Mary Wollstonecraft

Pioneer of feminist philosophy and author of 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'

Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–1797) was an English writer and philosopher whose 1792 work A Vindication of the Rights of Woman laid the foundation for modern feminism. She argued that women's education was vital to societal progress, challenging the era's gender norms.

Wollstonecraft's advocacy extended beyond theory. She worked as a governess, translator, and independent journalist in an age when few women pursued intellectual careers. Her travel writings, such as Letters Written During a Short Residence in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, blended personal reflection with social critique.

Despite facing personal scandals, including an out-of-wedlock child, her ideas influenced suffragettes like Emmeline Pankhurst. Today, she is celebrated as a trailblazer for gender equality. Explore her works at the British Library.