Mary Wollstonecraft
1759–1797 · British · Enlightenment
Known for: Mother of feminism who wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman and gave birth to Mary Shelley—literally creating the author of Frankenstein
Passionate, independent, and intellectually courageous. She grew up in an abusive household and argued women's apparent inferiority was caused by inferior education.
Romantically volatile—her affair with Gilbert Imlay and suicide attempts were scandalous. She married William Godwin and died giving birth to Mary Shelley.
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