A Serious Proposal to the Ladies

By Mary Astell and Mary Louise Kelly

Book Overview

Mary Astell's A Serious Proposal to the Ladiesis one of the most important and neglected works advocating the establishment of women's academies. Its reception was so controversial that Astell responded with a lengthy sequel, also in this volume. The cause of great notoriety, Astell's Proposalwas imitated by Defoe in his "An Academy for Women," parodied in the Tatler, satirized on the stage, plagiarized by Bishop Berkeley, and later mocked by Gilbert and Sullivan in Princess Ida.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1551113066
• ISBN13: 9781551113067
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: Broadview Press Inc
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

A Serious Proposal, parts 1 and 2

Mary Astell is one of the first European females to write directly on issues of philosophy, politics, and rhetoric; like other women writers she also writes about religion and morality, as she proposes the foundation of an educational/religious institution for single ladies. This book has complete editions of both books 1 and 2 of Astell's A Serious Proposal to the Ladies (1694, 1697), with facsimiles of the original title pages, extensive footnotes, an excellent introduction, bibliography, and an index at the back. The introduction is an excellent overview of Astell's political and philosophical context. Of particular interest is Springborg's coverage of Astell's debates with John Locke, and Astell's use of Descartes and the Port-Royal Logic. Springborg also draws connections between Astell and Daniel Defoe, Richard Steele, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, Samuel Richardson, and others. This book is a must for anyone interested in women's contributions to philosophy, education, religion, or politics in the English enlightenment.