Mary, Lady Chudleigh

19 August 1656 - 15 December 1710

Mary, Lady Chudleigh , was a versatile writer who began publishing during her middle age. Her poems and essays are earnest on religious topics but vividly dramatic in feminist debate. She wrote letters which were not for publication. Her surviving works are merely the tip of the iceberg. She reached print late in life: though she published in the eighteenth century, she must have written a great deal before that century began.

Milestones

By 19 August 1656

Mary Lee (later MLC ) was born, the eldest of four siblings, of whom only she and one brother survived.

Mary, Lady Chudleigh,. “Introduction”. The Poems and Prose of Mary, Lady Chudleigh, edited by Margaret J. M. Ezell, Oxford University Press, p. xvii - xxxvi.

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Before December 1697

Mary, Lady Chudleigh , wrote a poem in praise of Dryden 's translation of Virgil , which was about to be published. It seems that she would not allow her tribute to be printed with her name, so it was left out of the volume.

Mills, Rebecca. "Thanks for that Elegant Defense": Polemical Prose and Poetry by Women in the Early Eighteenth Century. Oxford University.

Bernard, Stephen, editor. The Literary Correspondences of the Tonsons. Oxford University Press.

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22 February 1701

Mary, Lady Chudleigh , publicly took issue with the conspicuous misogyny of the Rev. John Sprint , in a dialogue poem or answer, The Ladies Defence, published this day.

Mills, Rebecca. "Thanks for that Elegant Defense": Polemical Prose and Poetry by Women in the Early Eighteenth Century. Oxford University.

Mary, Lady Chudleigh,. The Poems and Prose of Mary, Lady Chudleigh. Editor Ezell, Margaret J. M., Oxford University Press.

About October 1710

Mary, Lady Chudleigh , published, with her name, Essays upon Several Subjects in Prose and Verse, dedicated to Princess Sophia of Brunswick .

Princess Sophia was heir apparent to the British throne, but missed it by dying months before Queen Anne. The crown went to her son, as George I.

Mills, Rebecca. "Thanks for that Elegant Defense": Polemical Prose and Poetry by Women in the Early Eighteenth Century. Oxford University.

15 December 1710

Mary, Lady Chudleigh , died, not long after a period staying at the house of an Exeter doctor for treatment.

Mary, Lady Chudleigh,. “Introduction”. The Poems and Prose of Mary, Lady Chudleigh, edited by Margaret J. M. Ezell, Oxford University Press, p. xvii - xxxvi.

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Mills, Rebecca. "Thanks for that Elegant Defense": Polemical Prose and Poetry by Women in the Early Eighteenth Century. Oxford University.

Biography

Birth

By 19 August 1656

Mary Lee (later MLC ) was born, the eldest of four siblings, of whom only she and one brother survived.

Mary, Lady Chudleigh,. “Introduction”. The Poems and Prose of Mary, Lady Chudleigh, edited by Margaret J. M. Ezell, Oxford University Press, p. xvii - xxxvi.

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