Catharine Trotter, the Precursor of the Bluestoc
The biography explores the life of Catharine Trotter, a pioneering female writer who paved the way for the Bluestocking Circle, a group of intellectual women in 18th-century England. The book delves into Trotter's early life, her education, and her struggles as a woman in a patriarchal society. It highlights her literary achievements, including her plays and novels, which were widely acclaimed during her time. The biography also examines Trotter's relationships with prominent figures of the era, including Alexander Pope and Samuel Richardson, and her influence on the development of English literature.
By Edmund Gosse · First published 1895 · Genre: Biography, Historical, Feminist Literature · 8,567 words
First lines
The practically complete absence of the Woman of Letters from our tropical and profuse literature of the early and middle seventeenth century has often been observed with wonder. While France had her Madeleine de Scudery and her Mlle. de Gournay and her Mere Angelique Arnauld, Englishwomen of the Stuart age ventured upon no incursions into philosophy, fiction, or theology. More and more eagerly, however, they read books; and as a consequence of reading, they began at last to write. The precious Margaret, Duchess of Newcastle, hob-a-nobbed with every Muse in her amazing divagations. But the earliest professional woman of letters was Aphra Behn, the novelist and playwright, to whose genius justice has only quite lately been done by Mr. Montague Summers. Mrs. Behn died in 1689, and it seemed at first that she had left no heritage to her sex.
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Catharine Trotter, the Precursor of the Bluestockings is listed on Textopian as an essay by Edmund Gosse, dated 1895 CE.
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- Work type: Essay
- Author: Edmund Gosse
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Biography, Historical, Feminist Literature, Literary Criticism
- Length: 8,567 words
- Structure: 1 section, 76 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Genres
- Biography — The work is a detailed account of Catharine Trotter's life and achievements.
- Historical — The narrative provides a historical context, focusing on the period in which Catharine Trotter lived.
- Feminist Literature — The book explores the life of a significant female figure and her contributions to literature and society.
- Literary Criticism — The work critically examines Catharine Trotter's literary contributions.
Tags
Catherine Trotter · Bluestockings · feminism · literary history · 18th century · women writers · philosophy · drama · novel · gender studies · intellectual history · British literature