Quick Facts

• Born on April 27 1759
• Mother of the author of Frankenstein (Mary Shelley)
• Known for her heavy criticism of Jean-Jacques Rousseau
• Died on September 10 1797

Life and Work

Commonly viewed as a founding figure of western feminism, Mary Wollstonecraft was a philosopher who was a huge advocate for women's rights. One of her first works was written as a refutation of Edmund Burke who wrote the conservative work titled "Reflections on the Revolution in France". Wollstonecraft responded with "A Vindication of the Rights of Man" and then soon after followed up with her defining work: "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman".

Selected Work by Author

A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792)

Selected Quote from the Work

“I do not wish them [women] to have power over men; but over themselves.”

Referenced Sources

Seminar Slideshow

“Mary Wollstonecraft.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 4 Apr. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Wollstonecraft.