Born On: April 27, 1759
Born In: Spitalfields, London
Died On: September10, 1797
Career: Author, Activist, Feminist
Nationality: British
Popularly known as the ‘Mother of Feminism’ or the ‘First Feminist’, Mary Wollstonecraft is the founder of bringing the concept of equality among men and women to the world. During her brief career, she wrote novels, treatises, a travel narrative, a history of the French Revolution, a conduct book and a children's book. ‘A Vindication of the Rights of Woman' brought Wollstonecraft to limelight. In this book, she relentlessly stressed on the fact that men and women are equal entities by nature. It is humans who have created a rift and that, with proper education; women can be equivalent to men. Though Wollstonecraft died early, at the age of 38, she left a mark on the world. Her life as well as her works influenced the 'much talked about' feminism aspect, which we know of today.
Early Childhood
Born on April 27, 1759, in Spitalfields, London, Mary Wollstonecraft was an intellectual kid right from the start. Though her father had a well-to-do income, he frivolously spent all of it, eventually resulting in financially instability. Her father was a violent person and would often beat his wife in drunken state. Wollstonecraft would often sit at the door of her mother's bedroom to protect her. Her feelings of love and affection were also extended to her two sisters, Everina and Eliza, for whom she played the role a maternal figure. Two friendships that Wollstonecraft adored all her life were the ones with Jane Arden in Beverley and Fanny Blood in Hoxton. Mary moved out of home in 1778, accepting the job as a lady’s companion, but went back home to aid her ailing mother sometime later. After her mother’s death, Wollstonecraft moved in with the Bloods.
Career
Together with Fanny Blood and Eliza, Mary Wollstonecraft took her first step in the career front, by opening a school in Islington. However, the school faced a tough time in the absence of Mary, when she went to attend to Fanny Blood. As a result, she closed the school and wrote her first work, a pamphlet entitled ‘Thoughts on the Education of Daughters’. She accepted the work of a governess, to the daughters of Lord Viscount Kingsborough. It was during this time that she wrote her first book - ‘Mary, A Fiction’, a children's book - ‘Original Stories from Real Life’ and even translated Jacques Necker's ‘On the Importance of Religious Opinions’.
Getting a start, Mary devoted her time completely to writing. She was perhaps the first feminist and is, till date, known as the 'Mother of Feminism'. Amongst all her works, ‘A Vindication of the Rights of Woman’ is the most savored and treasured one. A classic on feminist thoughts, the book qualifies as an exceptional piece and is a must read for people who want to know about the origin and history of feminism. Wollstonecraft wanted an educational reform, which would allow co-education, so that both men and women could enjoy the benefits of education together. She also recommended that large estates be divided into small farms and criticized slavery, practiced during that time.
Personal Life
Though Mary Wollstonecraft experienced a good professional life, her personal life was in turmoil. While she was unlucky in her first love relationship - with Henry Fuseli, the second was no better either. Wollstonecraft fell in love with Gilbert Imlay, whom she married. They had a daughter named Fanny. However, Imlay’s infidelity was soon discovered by her. She also attempted suicide, but was saved as destiny had something else in store for her. Mary continued her literary life again, during which she met her close friend William Godwin. Love chemistry started to creep slowly into their friendship, eventually resulting in marriage. Theirs was a strong, but short duration love affair, as Mary died after giving birth to her second child.
Death
Happiness and distress came together for William Goodwin - while he was happy being a father, he lost his dear wife in the process. It was on August 30, 1797, while giving birth to her second daughter, that Mary died. During labor, her placenta broke apart and became infected. After several days of agony, she died of Septicaemia, on 10th September 1797. Mary was laid to rest at Old Saint Pancras Churchyard.
Major Works
1787: Thoughts on the Education of Daughters
1788: Mary: A Fiction, Original Stories from Real Life, Of the Importance of Religious Opinions. Trans.
1789: The Female Reader:
1790: Young Grandison A Series of Letters from Young Persons to Their Friends. Trans.
1790: Elements of Morality, for the Use of Children; with an introductory address to parents. Trans, A Vindication of the Rights of Men,
1792: A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, "On the Prevailing Opinion of a Sexual Character in Women, with Strictures on Dr. Gregory's Legacy to His Daughters"
1794: An Historical and Moral View of the French Revolution
1796: Letters Written during a Short Residence in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.
1797: ‘On Poetry, and Our Relish for the Beauties of Nature’
1798: The Wrongs of Woman, or Maria, The Cave of Fancy, Letter on the
Present Character of the French Nation, Fragment of Letters on the Management of Infants, Lessons, Hints (posthumous printed scripts)
