Collective 18th-century biographies of literary women

During the eighteenth century, there were several attempts to describe a "women's literary tradition." This table compares six eighteenth-century collections of notable women: George Ballard's Memoirs of several ladies of Great Britain (1752),[2] John Duncombe's The Feminead (1754),[3] the Biographium Faemineum (Anon., 1766),[4] Mary Scott's The Female Advocate (1775),[5] Richard Polwhele's The Unsex'd Females[6] (1798), and Mary Hay's Female Biography (1803).[7]

Portraits in the Characters of the Muses in the Temple of Apollo by Richard Samuel, 1778, include Elizabeth Carter, Angelica Kauffman, Anna Laetitia Barbauld, Catharine Macaulay, Elizabeth Montagu, Elizabeth Griffith, Hannah More, Elizabeth Ann Sheridan and Charlotte Lennox.[1] Use a cursor to see who is who.

Collective 18th-century biographies of literary women

As the focus of this chart is British literary figures, broadly defined, two of the texts have been treated selectively because of their wider range.[4][7] Three of these texts are collective biographies,[2][4][7] while three of them are more pointed political interventions in contemporary debates about women's roles.[3][5][6] Three are poems[3][5][6] and three are dictionaries,[2][4][7] but they all list, and comment on, literary women and their accomplishments.

NB: In the columns, readers can find subjects' names or pseudonyms as presented in the text. A number in front of a name indicates the relative position of that name in the text. Users may reorder some elements of the table.

SubjectDatesBallard's Memoirs (1752)[2]Duncombe's Feminead (1757)[3]Biographium (1766)[4][8]Scott's Female advocate (1775)[5][9]Polwhele's Unsex'd females (1798)[6]Hays's Female Biography (1803)[7][10]
Anon.1773 (fl.)———"A lady"[11]——
Aragon, Catherine of1485–1536Queen Catherine—"Queen Catherine, Queen of Henry VIII"———
Armine, Mary1676 (death)—————Lady Mary Armyne
Arundell, Mary1557 (death)Mary Countess of Arundel—Countess of Arundel——Mary, Countess of Arundel
Ascham, Margaret1528–1592Margaret Ascham—Margaret Ascham——Margaret Ascham
Askew, Anne1521–1546Anne Askew, Alias Kyme—Anne Askew——Anne Askew
Astell, Mary1666–1731Mary Astell—"Mary Astell, an Ingenius Writer"——Mary Astell
Bacon, Ann1528–1610Lady Bacon—"Lady Anna Bacon, Governess to Edward VI"11. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83)—Lady Bacon
Barbauld, Anna Laetitia[12]1743–1825———43. Aiken02. "veteran BARBAULD"/Miss Aiken[13]—
Barber, Mary1685–1755———23. "HIBERNIA'S other fav'rite name" (l. 195)——
Basset, Mary1523 – 1572Mary Roper—"Mary Roper, [grand]Daughter of Thomas More"07. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83)—Mary Roper
Baynard, Ann1672–1697Anne Baynard—Anne Bayard——Ann Baynard
Beauclerk, Diana1734–1808————18. BEAUCLERK—
Beaufort, Margaret1443–1509Margaret Countess of Richmond and Derby—Margaret, Countess of Richmond and Derby——Margaret Beaufort
Behn, Aphra1640–1689—06. Behn[13]Afra Behn——Aphara Behn
Berners, Juliana1388 (birth)Juliana Barnes, Alias Berners—"Juliana Barnes, A Prioress"——Juliana Berners, or Barnes
Bland, Elizabeth1681–1712 (fl.)Elizabeth Bland————Elizabeth Bland
Boevey, Catherina1669–1726Catherine Bovey—Catherine Bovey——Catherine Bovey
Bradstreet, Anne1612–1672——"Anne Broadstreet, A Poetess of New England"——Anne Broadstreet
Brooke, Frances1724–1789—17. CÆLIA/Mrs. Brooke [14]————
Burnet, Elizabeth1661–1709Elizabeth Burnet—Elizabeth Burnet——Elizabeth Burnet
Burney, Frances1752–1840————16. BURNEY—
Burrell, Sophia1753–1802————lady Burrell[15]—
Bury, Elizabeth1644–1720Elizabeth Bury—"Elizabeth Bury, Versed in all the Sciences"——Elizabeth Bury
Carter, Elizabeth[12]1717–1806—16. ELIZA/Miss Eliza C---——11. CARTER[13]—
Cavendish, Elizabeth1626–1663Elizabeth Countess of Bridgwater—Countess of Bridwater———
Cavendish, Margaret1624-1674Margaret Dutchess of Newcastle—Margaret, Dutchess of Newcastle16. NEWCASTLE—Margaret Cavendish, duchess of Newcastle
Celesia, Dorothea1738–1790———39. "INDOLENCE"——
Centlivre, Susannah1669–1723—05. Centlivre[13]Susannah Centlivre——Susannah Centrelivre
Chandler, Mary1687–1745——Mary Chandler24. CHANDLER—Mary Chandler
Chapone, Hester1727–1801—21. DELIA[16]—Mrs. Chapone[17]12. CHAPONEMrs. Chapone
Chidley, Katherine1616–1653 (fl.)Katherine Chidley—Katherine Chidleigh———
Chudleigh, Mary1656–1710Lady Chudleigh—Lady Mary Chudleigh21. CHUDLEIGH—Lady Mary Chudleigh
Clement, Margaret1508–1570Margaret Clement—Margaret Clement——Margaret Clement
Clifford, Anne1590–1676Anne Countess of Pempbroke—Anne, Countess of Pembroke——Anne Clifford, countess of Pembroke, Dorset and Montgomery
Clinton, Elizabeth1570–1638Elizabeth Countess of Lincoln—Elizabeth Lincoln——Elizabeth, countess of Lincoln
Cockburn, Catharine Trotter1679–1749—03. COCKBURNCatherine Cockburn——Catherine Cockburn
Cooke, Mildred1526–1689Lady Burleigh—Mildred Burleigh13. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83)—Lady Mildred Burleigh
Cooper, Elizabeth1698–1761———27. "Thou who did'st pierce the shades of gothic night" (l. 235)——
Craven, Elizabeth1750–1828————Margravine of Ansbach[15]—
Crewe, Emma1780–1850————09. EMMA CREWE[13]—
Dauncey, Elizabeth1506–1564Elizabeth Dancy——05. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83)—Elizabeth Dancy
Davies, Eleanor1590–1652Lady Eleanor Davies—Lady Eleanor Davies——Lady Eleanor Davies
Dobson, Susannah1742–1795————Mrs. Dobson[15]—
Du Bois, Dorothea1728–1774—————Dorothea Dubois
Duncombe, Susanna1725–1812—20. EUGENIA[16]————
Elstob, Elizabeth1683–1756—————Elizabeth Elstob
Fane, Elizabeth1568 (death)Lady Elizabeth Fane—Lady Elizabeth Fane——Lady Elizabeth Fane
Fielding, Sarah1710–1768———28. FIELDING—Sarah Fielding
Finch, Anne1661–1720Anne Countess of Winchelsea02. WINCHELSEACountess of Winchelsea——Anne Finch, countess of Winchilsea
FitzAlan, Mary1540–1557Lady Mary Howard—"Lady Mary Howard, Wife of Thomas Duke of Norfolk"———
Gethin, Grace1676–1697Lady Gethin—Lady Grace Gethia——Lady Grace Gethin
Greville, Frances1724–1789———33. GREVILLE——
Grey, Katherine1540–1568———Lady Catherine Grey[15]——
Grey, Jane1537–1554Lady Jane Gray—Lady Jane Gray02. "beauteous Dudley" (l. 37)lady Jane Gray[15]Lady Jane Gray
Grierson, Constantia1705-1732Constantia Grierson—"Constantia Grierson, an Irish Lady"22. CONSTANTIA—Constantia Grierson
Griffith, Elizabeth[12]1727–1793———31. "another SAPPHO with a purer mind" (l. 280)——
Halkett, Anne1623–1699Lady Halket—Anna Halket——Lady Anna Halket
Harcourt, Harriet Eusebia[18]1705–1745——Harriot Eusebia Harcourt——Harriet Eusebia Harcourt
Hastings, Elizabeth1682–1739——Lady Elizabeth Hastings——Lady Elizabeth Hastings
Hays, Mary1759–1843————07. "flippant HAYS"[13]—
Haywood, Eliza1693–1756—————Elizabeth Haywood
Heron, Cecily1507 (birth)Cecilia Heron—"Cecilia Heron, Daughter of Sir Thomas More"06. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83)—Cecilia Heron
Hopton, Susanna1627–1709Susanna Hopton—Susanna Hopton——Susanna Hopton
Howard, Jane1537–1593Jane Countess of Westmoreland—Jane, Countess of Westmoreland———
Inglis, Esther1570-1624Esther Inglis—"Esther Inglis, famous for Fine Writing"——Esther Inglis
Ingram, Anne1696–1764—12. IRWIN————
Jebb, Ann1735–1812————"a Jebb"[13][15]—
Jones, Mary1707–1778———25. JONES——
Kauffman, Angelica[12]1741–1807————08. "classic KAUFFMAN"[13]—
Kempe, Margery1373-1440Margery Kempe—Margery Kempe———
Killigrew, Anne1660–1685Anne Killigrew—Anne Killigrew17. "illustrious KILLIGREW" (l. 93)—Anne Killigrew
Killigrew, Catherine1530-1583Katherine Killigrew—Katharine Killigrew14. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83)—Katherine Killigrew
Leapor, Mary1722–1746—15. Young LEAPOR———Mary Leapor
Legge, Elizabeth1580–1685Elizabeth Legge—Elizabeth Legge——Elizabeth Legge
Lennox, Charlotte[12]1730–1804———30. LENOX——
Lucar, Elizabeth1510–1537Elizabeth Lucar—Elizabeth Lucar——Elizabeth Lucar
Lumley, Jane1537–1578Lady Joanna Lumley—"Joanna Lumley, Wife of John Lord Lumley"——Joanna, lady Lumley
Macaulay, Catharine[12]1731–1791———35. MACAULAY"a Macaulay"[13][15]Catherine Macaulay Graham
Madan, Judith1702–1781—14. CORNELIA[16]————
Manley, Delarivier1663–1724—04. "modern Manley"[13]————
Marie de France1160–1215 (fl.)—————"Mary, an Anglo-Norman poetess"
Masham, Damaris Cudworth1658–1708Lady Masham—Lady Damaris Mashain——Damaris, lady Masham
Masters, Mary1698–1761———26. "ingenious MASTERS" (l. 223)——
Monck, Mary1677–1715Honourable Mrs. Monk—"Mrs. Hon. Monk, Daughter of Lord Molesworth"20. MIRANDA—Mrs. Monk
Montagu, Elizabeth[12]1718–1800———38. MONTAGU10. MONTAGU—
More, Hannah[12]1745–1833———Miss More[19]21. MORE—
North, Dudleya1675–1712Honourable Mrs. Dudleya North—"Hon. Mrs. Dudley North, a Daughter of Lord North and Grey"——Honorable Mrs. Dudley North
Norton, Frances1640–1731Lady Norton————Lady Frances Norton
Norwich, Julian of1343–1443Juliana, Anchoret of Norwich—Juliana, Anchoret of Norwich——Juliana (anchoret of Norwich)
Pakington, Dorothy1623–1679Lady Pakington—"Dorothy Pakington, Wife of Sir John Pakington"——Dorothy, Lady Pakington
Parr, Catherine1512–1548Queen Katherine Parr—"Catherine Parr, Queen of Henry VIII"01. "Illustrious Parr" (l. 32)——
Parry, Blanche1508-1589Blanch Parry—"Blanch Parry, Maid of Honour to Queen Elizabeth"———
Peckard, Martha1729–1805—18. CLIO[16]————
Pennington, Elizabeth1732–1759—19. FLAVIA[16]————
Pennington, Sarah1720–1783———37. PENNINGTON——
Philips, Katherine1631–1664Katherine Philips01. "[T]he chaste ORINDA""Katherine Phillips, the Famous Orinda"18. "our fair ORINDA" (l. 101)—Katherine Phillips
Phillips, Teresia Constantia1709–1765—07. Philips[13]————
Pilkington, Laetitia1709–1750—08. Pilkington[13]"Mrs. Loetitia Pilkington of Ireland"Mrs. Pilkington[15]—Laetitia Pilkington
Pix, Mary1666–1709—————Mrs. Pix
Pye, Jael1737–1782———42. "THOU" (l. 415)[20]——
Radcliffe, Ann1764–1823————17. RADCLIFFE—
Rich, Mary1625–1678—————Mary, countess of Warwick
Roberts, Rose1730–1788———41. "THOU" (l. 407)[21]——
Robinson, Maria Elizabeth1775–1818————"her (Mary Robinson's) beautiful daughter"[15]—
Robinson, Mary1757–1800————03. ROBINSON[13]—
Roper, Margaret1505–1544Margaret Roper—"Margaret Roper, Daughter of Sir Thomas More"04. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83)—Margaret Roper
Rowe, Elizabeth Singer1674–1737—10. ROWEElizabeth Rowe—Mrs. Rowe[15]Elizabeth Rowe
Rowlett, Margaret1558 (death)(brief mention)——15. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83)——
Russell, Elizabeth1528–1609Lady Russel—Lady Elizabeth Russel12. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83)—Lady Russel
Russell, Lucy1580–1627—————Lucy Haerin
Russell, Rachel1636–1723———19. RUSSELL—Lady Rachel Russel
Seward, Anna1742–1809————13. SEWARD—
Seymour, Anne1538–1588Lady Anne Seymour—Anne Seymour08. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83)—Ladies Anne, Margaret, and Jane Seymour
Seymour, Frances1699 (birth)—11. SOMERSET————
Seymour, Jane1541–1561Lady Jane Seymour——10. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83)—Ladies Anne, Margaret, and Jane Seymour
Seymour, Margaret1540 (birth)Lady Margaret Seymour——09. "Mores, Seymours, Cokes, a bright assemblage" (l. 83)—Ladies Anne, Margaret, and Jane Seymour
Sheridan, Frances1724–1766—————Frances Sheridan
Sidney, Mary1561–1621Mary Countess of Pembroke—Mary Sydney PembrokeThe Countess of Pembroke[15]—Mary Sydney, countess of Pembroke
Smith, Charlotte Turner1749–1806————04. "charming SMITH"[13]—
Spencer, Dorothy1617–1684—————Dorothy, countess of Sunderland
Steele, Anne1717–1778———32. "Theodosia"——
Stuart, Arabella1575–1615Lady Arabella Seymour—Arabella Seymour——Lady Arabella Seymour
Stuart, Mary1542–1587Mary Queen of Scotland—Mary of Scotland——Mary, queen of Scots
Talbot, Catherine1721–1770———40. TALBOT——
Thomas, Elizabeth1675 – 1731——Corinna Thomas——Mrs. Thomas
Piozzi, Hester Thrale1740–1821————14. "gay PIOZZI"—
Tishem, Catherine1595 (death)Catherine Tisthem—"Catherine Tishen, a Great Linguist"——Catherine Tishem
Fielding, Elizabeth1694–1754———29. "charming TOLLETT" (l. 266)—Elizabeth Tollet
Tudor, Elizabeth1533–1603Queen Elizabeth—Queen Elizabeth03. Eliza—Elizabeth, queen of England
Tudor, Mary1516–1558Queen Mary—"Queen Mary, daughter of Henry VIII"———
Vane, Frances Anne1715–1788—09. Vane[13]————
Walker, Elizabeth1623–1690Elizabeth Walker—Elizabeth Walker———
Weston, Elizabeth Jane1581–1612Elizabeth Jane Weston—Elizabeth Jane Weston——Elizabeth Jane Weston
Wharton, Anne1659–1685Anne Wharton—Anna Wharton——Anne Wharton
Whateley, Mary1738–1825———34. "Daughter of SHENSTONE" (l. 305)[22]——
Wheatley, Phillis1753–1784———Phillis Wheateley[23]——
Williams, Anna1706–1783———36. ANNA——
Williams, Helen Maria Williams1759–1827————05. HELEN[13]—
Wollstonecraft, Mary1759–1797————01. Wollstonecraft[13]—
Wright, Mehetabel Wesley1697–1750—13. WRIGHT————
Wroth, Mary1587–1653——Lady Mary Wroth———
Yearsley, Ann1753–1806————06. YEARSELEY[13]—

Texts
  • Anon (1766). Biographium faemineum: the female worthies, or, Memoirs of the most illustrious ladies, of all ages and nations, who have been eminently distinguished for their magnanimity, learning, genius, virtue, piety, and other excellent endowments. London: S. Crowder.. Vol. II is available online at HathiTrust.
  • Ballard, George (1752). Memoirs of several ladies of Great Britain, who have been celebrated for their writings, or skill in the learned languages, arts and sciences. Oxford: W. Jackson. hdl:2027/njp.32101071964751. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  • Duncombe, John (1757). The Feminead. Or, female genius. A poem. London: M. Cooper. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  • Hays, Mary (1803). Female Biography, or Memoirs of Illustrious and Celebrated Women of All Ages and Countries. London: R. Phillips.
  • Polwhele, Richard (1798). The Unsex'd Females: a poem, addressed to the author of the Pursuits of Literature. London: Cadell and Davies. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  • Scott, Mary (1775). The Female Advocate; a poem occasioned by reading Mr. Duncombe's Feminead. London: Joseph Johnson. Retrieved 2 March 2015.

Notes
  1. Portraits in the Characters of the Muses in the Temple of Apollo, Richard Samuel, 1778, National Portrait Gallery, accessed February 2010
  2. Ballard, George (1752). Memoirs of several ladies of Great Britain, who have been celebrated for their writings, or skill in the learned languages, arts and sciences. Oxford: W. Jackson. hdl:2027/njp.32101071964751. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  3. Duncombe, John (1757). The Feminead. Or, female genius. A poem. London: M. Cooper. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  4. Anon (1766). Biographium faemineum: the female worthies, or, Memoirs of the most illustrious ladies, of all ages and nations, who have been eminently distinguished for their magnanimity, learning, genius, virtue, piety, and other excellent endowments. London: S. Crowder.
  5. Scott, Mary (1775). The Female Advocate; a poem occasioned by reading Mr. Duncombe's Feminead. London: Joseph Johnson. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  6. Polwhele, Richard (1798). The Unsex'd Females: a poem, addressed to the author of the Pursuits of Literature. London: Cadell and Davies. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  7. Hays, Mary (1803). Female Biography, or Memoirs of Illustrious and Celebrated Women of All Ages and Countries. London: R. Phillips.
  8. As this chart does not include all the subjects treated in the Biographium faemineum, the subjects are not numbered. The entries are arranged alphabetically in the original text.
  9. Within the main body of the poem, Scott also celebrates three men who support women writers: she names John Duncombe (l. 469) and Thomas Seward (l. 479), and refers to a third, William Steele IV, by the name "Philander" (l. 489).
  10. As this chart does not include all three hundred subjects treated in Female biography, the subjects are not numbered. The entries are arranged alphabetically in the original text. For the full list, see List of women in Female Biography.
  11. In the introduction, Scott mentions "poems by a lady" "lately published" by G. Robinson in Paternoster Row as one of four writers with whose work she became acquainted too late to include. Possibly she refers to this publication: Unknown, [Woman]. Original poems, translations, and imitations, From the French, &c. By a lady. 1773. The Women's Print History Project, 2019, title ID 5349. Accessed 2022-06-25. WPHP
  12. Represented in Portraits in the Characters of the Nine Muses in the Temple of Apollo by Richard Samuel, 1778.
  13. This writer is mentioned in order to provide a negative example.
  14. According to a footnote, the section about Brooke was written by an unnamed "Sister-Muse."
  15. Mentioned in a note or notes, not in the body of the text.
  16. Duncombe does not name this writer; he only employs a conventional pastoral pseudonym and offers hints.
  17. In the introduction, Scott mentions Hester Chapone as one of four writers with whose work she became acquainted too late to include.
  18. Harriet Eusebia Harcourt is listed in collective biographies into the 19th century, but no evidence of her existence has been discovered. See Thompson Cooper, Notes and Queries (7th series, VIII July 1889, p. 63; Internet Archive) and D'Monté, Rebecca, and Nicole Pohl, Female communities, 1600-1800: literary visions and cultural realities (Macmillan/St. Martin's Press, 2000; Internet Archive).
  19. In the introduction, Scott mentions Hannah More as one of four writers with whose work she became acquainted too late to include.
  20. Pye, Jael Henrietta. Poems. By a lady. The Women's Print History Project, 2019, title ID 4652. Accessed 2022-06-25. WPHP
  21. "Roberts, Rose." The Women's Print History Project, 2019, Person ID 2537. Accessed 2022-06-25. WPHP.
  22. Fullard, Joyce. "Notes on Mary Whateley and Mary Scott's The Female Advocate." The Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America 1987 81:1, 74-76. DOI
  23. In the introduction, Scott mentions Phillis Wheatley as one of four writers with whose work she became acquainted too late to include.

See also

References
  • Walker, Gina Luria (2017). The Invention of Female Biography. Routledge.
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