عنوان

The most learned woman in America :

0271023112

9780271023113

b763578

The most learned woman in America :

[Book]

a life of Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson /

Anne M. Ousterhout.

University Park :

Pennsylvania State University Press,

2003.

xx, 391 pages :

illustrations ;

24 cm

Includes bibliographical references (pages 339-371) and index.

"During the era of the American Revolution and long after, the name Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson was well known in Philadelphia, recognized as belonging to one of British North America's most illustrious women of letters." "Born in 1737 to a wealthy family, Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson excelled from an early age. Although women in her day were denied higher education, Fergusson read widely, educating herself in literature, history, and languages, even reading classical literature in the original tongues, an unusual ability for a colonial woman. She wrote prolifically - often until midnight or later, spending but a few hours sleeping - and published her poetry. Her journals of a trip to England and Scotland circulated widely among admiring Philadelphians. During the 1770s she hosted a Saturday evening salon at her home that was unrivaled in the colonies for its brilliance." "Yet despite her achievements, Fergusson's life was fraught with financial woes, bad romances, and treasonous plots that hounded her throughout her life. After her father forbade her marriage to Benjamin Franklin's illegitimate son, she secretly married Henry Hugh Fergusson, a British Loyalist who left her before the Revolution. Henry's actions, together with Elizabeth's own political indiscretions, earned her potent enemies, leading to the confiscation of her family estate, Graeme Park. Although she eventually succeeded in reclaiming her property, her reputation was tarnished in the process." "The Most Learned Woman in America narrates Fergusson's efforts to live an appropriately genteel life, even as she struggled against the limits that her society placed on its women. In the process, we can begin to understand the conflicts - internal and external - that women of the Revolutionary generation faced."--Jacket.

Fergusson, Elizabeth Graeme,1737-1801.

Fergusson, Elizabeth Graeme,1737-1801

Poets, American-- 18th century, Biography.

Women-- Pennsylvania-- Philadelphia Region, Biography.

Women scholars-- Pennsylvania-- Philadelphia Region, Biography.

Intellectual life.

Manners and customs.

Poets, American.

Politics and government

Women scholars.

Women.

Philadelphia Region (Pa.), Biography.

Philadelphia Region (Pa.), Intellectual life, 18th century.

Philadelphia Region (Pa.), Politics and government, 18th century.

Philadelphia Region (Pa.), Social life and customs, 18th century.

Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Region.

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Ousterhout, Anne M.

20201204230314.0

[Book]

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