Mary Wollstonecraft: A Brief Illustrated Biography

Summary

Mary Wollstonecraft, born in 1759, was an influential figure in radical political and intellectual circles. After experiencing a tumultuous childhood and escaping her father's tyranny, she pursued a career in literature. She wrote notable works like 'A Vindication of the Rights of Men' and 'A Vindication of the Rights of Women,' challenging traditional gender roles and advocating for equality. Wollstonecraft also faced personal hardships, including a failed relationship and the complexities of motherhood. Her legacy continued through her daughter, Mary Shelley, who authored 'Frankenstein.' Wollstonecraft died at 38, leaving a lasting impact on feminist thought and political philosophy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mary Wollstonecraft was born in London in 1759 and was the second of six children.
• 😀 Her father was abusive, and Mary witnessed her mother's mistreatment by him during her childhood.
• 😀 At 19, Mary moved out of her home to become independent and make her own way in the world.
• 😀 In 1783, she helped her sister Eliza escape an abusive marriage by hiding her until a legal separation was arranged.
• 😀 Mary established a school with her sister in Newington Green before moving to Ireland to work as a governess.
• 😀 In 1787, she returned to London and began her literary career, becoming a contributor to radical political circles.
• 😀 She became a regular contributor to the 'Analytical Review' and formed her own radical political philosophies.
• 😀 In 1790, she published 'A Vindication of the Rights of Men,' advocating for the rights of the oppressed and criticizing Edmund Burke's conservative stance.
• 😀 In 1791, Mary was inspired to write 'A Vindication of the Rights of Women' in response to the exclusion of women from the new French Constitution and a report advocating for women's subservience in education.
• 😀 Mary Wollstonecraft had a troubled love life, falling in love with Henry Fuselli, and later, after moving to France, she had a daughter, Fanny, with Gilbert Imlay, an American timber merchant.
• 😀 After Imlay deserted her, she fell into a deep depression but later found solace with philosopher William Godwin, marrying him in 1797 and giving birth to a daughter, Mary Shelley, who would become the famous author of 'Frankenstein.'

Q & A

What was Mary Wollstonecraft's early family life like?

Mary Wollstonecraft was born in London in 1759 as the second of six children. Her father was a tyrannical figure, and she witnessed her mother being continuously bullied and mistreated by him.

Why did Mary Wollstonecraft leave home at the age of 19?

At the age of 19, Mary Wollstonecraft decided to move out of her family home to make her own way in the world, seeking independence.

How did Mary Wollstonecraft help her sister Eliza in 1783?

In 1783, Mary helped her sister Eliza escape an abusive marriage by hiding her from her husband until a legal separation was arranged.

What was the nature of the school that Mary Wollstonecraft and her sister founded?

Mary Wollstonecraft and her sister Eliza later established a school at Newington Green, which allowed them to support themselves and engage in educational work.

What was Mary Wollstonecraft's first major literary job?

In 1787, Mary Wollstonecraft began working as a translator and literary adviser to Joseph Johnson, a publisher of radical writings.

How did Mary Wollstonecraft contribute to radical political circles?

Mary Wollstonecraft became acquainted with intellectuals in radical political circles and contributed articles to the 'Analytical Review' published by Joseph Johnson, where she shared her own radical philosophies.

What was the significance of 'A Vindication of the Rights of Men'?

In 1790, Mary Wollstonecraft published 'A Vindication of the Rights of Men' in response to Edmund Burke's conservative position. In it, she advocated for the rights of the poor and oppressed.

What events in 1791 influenced Mary Wollstonecraft's writing of 'A Vindication of the Rights of Women'?

Two significant events in 1791 deeply troubled Mary: the exclusion of women from all areas of public life in the new French Constitution and a report recommending that girls' education focus on subservience.

What personal relationship caused turmoil in Mary Wollstonecraft's life?

Mary Wollstonecraft fell in love with the married painter and philosopher Henry Fuselli. His rejection, combined with the controversy surrounding her book, led her to move to France.

What was the impact of her time in France during the Reign of Terror?

While in France, Mary Wollstonecraft witnessed the Reign of Terror, which she later criticized in her work 'A Historical and Moral View of the Origins and Progress of the French Revolution'.

What tragedy did Mary Wollstonecraft experience in her later years?

Mary Wollstonecraft had a daughter, Fanny, with Captain Gilbert Imlay. When Imlay deserted her, she fell into a deep depression. Later, she had another daughter, Mary, who became famous as the author of 'Frankenstein'. Unfortunately, Mary Wollstonecraft passed away from complications after giving birth to her second daughter at the age of 38.