Blue Stockings Society facts for kids

Portraits in the Characters of the Muses in the Temple of Apollo, 1778, 130 cm × 150 cm (52 in × 61 in), by Richard Samuel. This painting shows some of the famous women linked to the Blue Stockings Society.

The Blue Stockings Society was a group of smart, educated women and men in England during the 1700s. They met to talk about books, art, and ideas. This was different from other social gatherings of the time, which often focused on fashion or games. The society was started in the early 1750s by Elizabeth Montagu and Elizabeth Vesey.

The group's name led to the term "bluestocking." This word was first used to describe the casual, friendly nature of their meetings. Later, it became a way to describe any learned or intellectual woman.

What Was the Blue Stockings Society?

This house at 16 Royal Crescent, Bath, was one of the places where Elizabeth Montagu hosted Blue Stockings Society events.

The Blue Stockings Society began around 1750 in England. It was a relaxed group of wealthy women who loved learning. They met to discuss literature and invited educated men to join them. The main hosts were Elizabeth Montagu and Elizabeth Vesey.

At this time, only men usually went to universities. Women were expected to learn skills like needlework and knitting. It was often seen as strange for women to know subjects like Greek or Latin. It was even considered improper for them to write books.

However, the Blue Stockings challenged these ideas. They believed in the importance of women's education. They often wrote about how women's lives and status in society could be better. For example, Elizabeth Montagu wrote in 1743:

In a woman's education little but outward accomplishments is regarded... sure the men are very imprudent to endeavor to make fools of those to whom they so much trust their honour and fortune, but it is in the nature of mankind to hazard their peace to secure power, and they know fools make the best slaves.

—Elizabeth Montagu 1743

This quote shows that Montagu thought it was foolish to keep women uneducated. She believed that smart women were important for society.

How Did the Name "Blue Stockings" Start?

The exact origin of the name "Blue Stockings Society" is debated. Some historians think it came from a fashion trend. In the 1700s, black stockings were for formal events. Blue stockings were for everyday or casual wear. This might have shown the informal style of the club's meetings.

Another popular story involves Benjamin Stillingfleet. He was a smart gentleman who often attended the gatherings. One evening, he didn't have fancy clothes for a party. Elizabeth Vesey told him to "come in [his] blue stockings." He became a regular and popular guest. This story suggests the name came from his casual blue stockings.

What Was the Purpose of the Meetings?

The Blue Stockings Society did not have official members or fees. Instead, they held small or large gatherings. At these meetings, talking about politics was not allowed. The main topics were literature, art, and other educational subjects.

The hostesses would serve tea, biscuits, and other light snacks. These gatherings were a big change from other high-society parties. Many of those parties focused on gambling.

An article from The New York Times in 1881 described the society's goal. It said that Mrs. Montagu and her friends wanted to offer something different. They wanted to create a group where interesting conversations replaced card games. This helped people enjoy intellectual discussions instead of just gambling.

Many women in the Blue Stockings Society supported each other's intellectual goals. They encouraged reading, art, and writing. Many members also published their own books. For example, Elizabeth Carter (1717–1806) was a strong supporter and member. She wrote essays and poems. She also translated the works of the ancient philosopher Epictetus.

Who Were Some Notable Members?

Many famous and influential people were part of the Blue Stockings Society. Here are some of them:

Modern Play About the Society

The play Ladies by Kit Steinkellner tells a fictional story about four members of the Blue Stockings Society. It explores how their ideas influenced modern feminism. The play first opened in Pasadena, California, in June 2019.