Mary Wollstonecraft
(1759–1797)
Known for: Author of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, pioneer of women’s rights
Born: April 27, 1759 – Spitalfields, London, England
Died: September 10, 1797 – London, England
Nationality: British
Field: Philosophy, Literature, Social and Political Thought
Early Life
Mary was born into a financially unstable family; her father squandered the family fortune.
She witnessed domestic violence early in life, which deeply shaped her views on patriarchy and women’s oppression.
Despite limited education, she taught herself by reading extensively and sought to live independently — rare for women in the 18th century.
Early Career and Education Advocacy
In the 1780s, she worked as a governess and school teacher and started to develop ideas on the importance of education for women.
In 1787, she published her first book, Thoughts on the Education of Daughters, arguing that girls should be educated with the same seriousness as boys.
Timeline: Mary Wollstonecraft
1759 – Born
Mary Wollstonecraft was born on April 27, 1759, in Spitalfields, London, England.
1787 – First Publication
Published Thoughts on the Education of Daughters, advocating equal education for girls.
1792 – Feminist Classic
Published A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, one of the first feminist philosophical texts.
1792–1795 – Revolutionary France
Traveled to France during the Revolution, wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Men, and gave birth to her first daughter, Fanny.
1797 – Birth of Mary Shelley
Married philosopher William Godwin and gave birth to her second daughter, Mary (later Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein).
1797 – Passed Away
Died on September 10, 1797, from complications following childbirth, at age 38.
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792)
Her most famous and influential work.
Argued that women are not naturally inferior to men, but appear so only because they lack education.
Called for equal opportunities in education, rational thinking, and social independence for women.
Challenged Enlightenment thinkers (like Rousseau) who believed women were meant only for domestic roles.
This work is widely considered one of the first feminist philosophical texts in history.
Life as a Writer and Traveler
Traveled to France during the French Revolution, supporting many of its ideals of liberty and equality.
Wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Men (1790), defending the revolution and calling for social reform.
Her time in France was both politically inspiring and personally difficult — she had a failed relationship with American businessman Gilbert Imlay, with whom she had a daughter, Fanny.
Later Years and Death
Later married William Godwin, a political philosopher and founder of modern anarchism. Their marriage was based on mutual respect and intellectual partnership.
Together, they had a daughter — Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, who later became Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein.
Tragically, Mary Wollstonecraft died shortly after giving birth to Mary Shelley in 1797 due to complications from childbirth (puerperal fever), at just 38 years old.
Posthumous Controversy
After her death, her husband Godwin published Memoirs of the Author of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1798), detailing her personal life — including her love affairs and illegitimate child.
While meant to honor her honesty, the book scandalized Victorian society and damaged her reputation for decades.
Despite that, her intellectual legacy persisted and was revived by feminists in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Legacy and Impact
Mary Wollstonecraft is now recognized as:
One of the founders of modern feminist philosophy
A fearless advocate for women’s education and equality
An early voice linking social justice, reason, and human rights
Her influence is seen in:
Feminist movements across the 19th and 20th centuries
Modern education reforms
Women’s rights literature and political theory
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