Margaret Cavendish
Margaret Cavendish was one of the first European female authors but she was also a poet, scientist, philosopher and playwright. Her success had an impact on women in later generations. Her works encouraged the equality and education of women. Margaret had a many works published, a few of which being - Philosophical and Physical Opinions (1656), Philosophical Letters (1664) and Grounds of Natural Philosophy (1668).
Margaret Cavendish was born in 1623 in Colchester, England. She never received a formal education but was informally taught at home by her family. She had access to libraries and was an avid reader. At the age of 18 Margaret left home and became a Maid of Honor at the court of Queen Henrietta, wife of Charles I of England. When the Queen was forced to flee to France, Margaret followed her. There, in Paris, she met William Cavendish. They married in 1645 and returned to England in 1651. William and his brother had connections to a few publishers who were willing to publish her work. Margaret's first book was an anthology called Poems and Fancies. Many people applauded her originality but others criticized her lack of proper spelling and grammar. She also wrote science fiction books and had her own opinions on science. She believed that all atoms contained the same amount of matter but differed in size and shape. Margaret also fought for equality and education of women through her work and challenged the works of other authors and scientists.
Margaret Cavendish was born in 1623 in Colchester, England. She never received a formal education but was informally taught at home by her family. She had access to libraries and was an avid reader. At the age of 18 Margaret left home and became a Maid of Honor at the court of Queen Henrietta, wife of Charles I of England. When the Queen was forced to flee to France, Margaret followed her. There, in Paris, she met William Cavendish. They married in 1645 and returned to England in 1651. William and his brother had connections to a few publishers who were willing to publish her work. Margaret's first book was an anthology called Poems and Fancies. Many people applauded her originality but others criticized her lack of proper spelling and grammar. She also wrote science fiction books and had her own opinions on science. She believed that all atoms contained the same amount of matter but differed in size and shape. Margaret also fought for equality and education of women through her work and challenged the works of other authors and scientists.