Mary Scott (poet) facts for kids
Mary Scott (1751/52–1793), whose married name was Mary Taylor, was an English poet. She was born in Milborne Port, Somerset. Mary Scott is famous for writing The Female Advocate in 1774. This poem was written to support and defend women who wrote.
Her Life and Work
Mary Scott's father sold cloth. We do not know much about her early life. Her important poem, The Female Advocate, was published in 1774. She dedicated this poem to her friend, Mary Steele.
Mary Scott said that another poem inspired her. This was The Feminead (1754) by John Duncombe. His poem praised the achievements of women writers.
About The Female Advocate
Mary Scott's poem has 522 lines. It uses rhyming couplets, which means two lines that rhyme together. Her poem added to Duncombe's ideas. It also talked about more recent women writers.
Some of the poets she mentioned include Anna Laetitia Barbauld and Phillis Wheatley. She also praised men who supported women writers. These included John Duncombe and Rev. Thomas Seward. She also mentioned William Steele, who supported his daughter's writing. Her friend and doctor, Richard Pulteney, also encouraged her.
Later Life and Family
Mary Scott started writing letters to Anna Seward. Anna Seward's father was praised in The Female Advocate. These letters tell us a lot about Mary Scott's life.
Mary Scott often mentioned that she was not well. She lived with her parents until she was in her thirties. She took care of her sick mother until her mother passed away in 1787. Her father died in 1788.
After her parents passed, Mary Scott was able to marry John Taylor. They had been in love for over ten years. Her mother had not wanted them to marry.
Mary Scott was a very religious person. She was part of a group of Protestants who had different beliefs. Her husband convinced her to become a Unitarian. Later, he became a Quaker, which caused her some stress.
Mary Scott had a daughter in 1789. She had a son in 1791. Her son, John Edward Taylor, later started a famous newspaper. It was called the Manchester Guardian. Mary Scott passed away in 1793. She was 41 years old and was pregnant with her third child.
Her Published Works
- "Verses Addressed to Miss Seward, on the Publication of her Monody on Major André," The Gentleman's Magazine (June 1783)
- The Messiah. A Poem, in Two Parts. Published for the benefit of the General Hospital at Bath (Bath: R. Cruttwell, 1788.)
