Mary Chudleigh facts for kids

Mary, Lady Chudleigh (born Mary Lee in August 1656) was an English poet and writer. She was part of a group of smart thinkers and writers, including Mary Astell and Lady Mary Wortley Montagu. Later in her life, she published books of poetry and essays. These writings often talked about themes important to women, which we now call feminist ideas. Her books were quite popular, with some being printed four times in her last ten years. Her poems about feelings and relationships are still found in many poetry collections today. Her essays about women's rights are still available to read.

Mary Chudleigh's Early Life and Family

Mary Lee was born in Winslade, Devon, England, in August 1656. Her parents were Richard Lee and Mary Sydenham. She was the oldest of three children. Her mother's family, the Sydenhams, were well-known. Mary's uncle, Colonel William Sydenham, fought for Parliament during the English Civil War. Another uncle, Dr Thomas Sydenham, was a famous doctor who studied diseases. Mary's father owned a lot of land and property.

On March 25, 1674, Mary married Sir George Chudleigh, 3rd Baronet. He was from Ashton, Devon. Some people who study her life wonder if her marriage was a happy one. Mary often wrote about marriage as a difficult situation for women. This might mean she had her own challenges. However, her husband allowed her to publish several books about women's issues during his lifetime. Also, her family kept her unpublished writings safe after she died.

Mary and Sir George had at least six children. Their eldest son was Sir George Chudleigh, 4th Baronet. Another son, Colonel Thomas Chudleigh, had a daughter named Elizabeth Chudleigh. Elizabeth later became a famous figure in society.

Mary Chudleigh's Education and Writings

Like most women of her time, Mary Chudleigh did not go to school for a long time. However, she loved to read and taught herself many things. She studied theology (the study of religion), science, and philosophy.

Not much else is known about her daily life. We do know that one of her daughters died young, and Mary wrote about her deep sadness in letters and poems. Mary Chudleigh passed away on December 15, 1710. She suffered from severe rheumatism, a painful condition affecting joints and muscles.

Mary Chudleigh's writings are important because they shared ideas about women's roles and rights. She was a strong voice for women in a time when their voices were often not heard. Her work continues to be studied today by people interested in women's history and literature.

Further Information

Anthologies Featuring Mary Chudleigh

• Norton Anthology of Literature by Women: The Traditions in English, edited by Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar
• The First Feminists: British Women Writers, edited by Moira Fergusson (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1985)
• Eighteenth Century Women Poets: An Oxford Anthology, edited by Roger Lonsdale (New York: Oxford University Press, 1989)
• British Literature: An Anthology, edited by Robert DeMaria, Jr (London: Blackwell, 1996)