Mary Astell

12 November 1666 – 11 May 1731

Mary Astell was an English philosopher and writer often described as the first English feminist. In works such as A Serious Proposal to the Ladies and Some Reflections upon Marriage she argued that women were as rational as men and deserved serious education, famously asking why, if all men are born free, all women are born slaves.

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Life events

Born in Newcastle upon Tyne
12 November 1666

Mary Astell was born into a middle-class coal merchant's family in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Informally educated by her clergyman uncle
c. 1674

She received no formal schooling but was tutored by her uncle Ralph Astell, a Cambridge-educated clergyman influenced by the Cambridge Platonists.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Death of her father left the family in financial difficulty
1678

Her father Peter Astell died when she was about twelve, leaving no dowry for her and straining the family's finances.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Moved to Chelsea, London
c. 1688

Around 1688 she moved to Chelsea, where she spent the rest of her life and found patrons among aristocratic and intellectual women.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relocation ✓
Published A Serious Proposal to the Ladies
1694

Her most famous work proposed the founding of a secular religious retreat where women could pursue serious education; a second part followed in 1697.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Published her correspondence with John Norris as Letters Concerning the Love of God
1695

Her philosophical exchange with the Malebranchean philosopher John Norris established her reputation as a serious metaphysician.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Published Some Reflections upon Marriage
1700

This work critically analyzed the inequality of marriage for women, arguing that women should be educated to make better choices.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Helped establish a charity school for girls in Chelsea
1709

With support from wealthy patrons such as Lady Catherine Jones, Astell helped found a charity school for girls in Chelsea, reportedly designing its curriculum.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in London after surgery for breast cancer
11 May 1731

Astell died in Chelsea a few months after undergoing a mastectomy for breast cancer, having spent her final days in seclusion.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓