Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–1797)
Mary Wollstonecraft is well-known as an early advocate of women’s rights and education. This English writer and philosopher also embraced radical new political models and thought.
In December 1792, Wollstonecraft went to Paris to participate in the events of the French Revolution. She hoped to witness firsthand the promise of universal rights. Louis XVI was guillotined within a month of her arrival.
By 1793, the situation had become more dire. Britain had declared war on France, endangering Wollstonecraft and other British expatriates, such as Helen Maria Williams. Wollstonecraft wrote An Historical and Moral View of the French Revolution in 1794 just before leaving France.
To the left, are portions of her account of the Women's March on Versailles from October 5, 1789 from Wollstonecraft, Mary. An historical and moral view of the origin and progress of the French Revolution; and the effect it has produced in Europe. London, J. Johnson, 1794. SPC. 944.04 W864H