About The Feminist Margaret Cavendish Circle

Born during the Stuart era in England, Margaret Cavendish’s birthdate is somewhat inexact. She was born Margaret Lucas in 1623 eventually becoming Her Grace, The Duchess of Newcastle-upon-Tyne as a result of her marriage to William Cavendish, who became the 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

What attracted me to Margaret Cavendish? Firstly, she was a feminist so that immediately piqued my interest. Secondly, she was an Early Modern woman philosopher. Thirdly, she had broad interests from philosophy, gender and science to literature and fashion. I love fashion so that’s something I find fascinating in someone so far back in history who, like many pop stars today, used fashion to re-invent herself eg Lady Gaga, Madonna. Like Lady Mary Shepherd (the other Early Modern woman philosopher I research and blog¹ about who socialised with and ran a circle attended by well-known figures of her day) Cavendish participated in an intellectual circle. Margaret attended ‘The Cavendish Circle’ which included famous philosophers and scientists.

I wanted to research her back during my college years for my final year dissertation but, even though I wasn’t given the opportunity to do so, I still maintained interest in this exciting fashion-conscious, feminist genius. Back when I thought up my dissertation research topic (2012) on Cavendish I was particularly intrigued by her philosophical ideas about war, women and the female army in her play ‘Bell in Campo’. My title (June 8th 2012) was: ‘Feminist Interpretations of Margaret Cavendish's Political Philosophy, Subtitle: Power Relations: War, The Army and Gender’. So, over 5 years later, I have set up a blog/circle about her. I hope to cover all her works eventually but my main focus is her philosophy which often lies hidden in her literary works.

I hope you will come on a journey with me to discover the life and works of this unique feminist. As on my other blogs, I welcome comments and discussion.

¹ my circle/blog on Shepherd is available at:

https://theladymaryshepherdphilosophysalon.blogspot.co.uk/