Catharine Macaulay's Philosophy and Her Influence on Mary Wollstonecraft

What is it about?

Shows that it was only after having reviewed Catharine Macaulay's Letters on Education that Wollstonecraft became critical of Rousseau and adopted radical political in which she was influenced by Macaulay. Argues for reading Wollstonecraft as being initially inspired by Rousseau, then by Macaulay, and ultimately developing her own position that emphasises the importance of imagination.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Retrieving Catharine Macaulay's importance as an influential eighteenth century republican offers an overdue corrective to the standard history of feminism that has been distorted by a male dominated history of ideas.