Margaret Lucas Cavendish’s Blazing World

May 23, 2022

Explore the groundbreaking life of Margaret Lucas Cavendish, a trailblazer in literature and natural philosophy. Discover her unique voice amidst 17th-century gender norms and her impressive body of work, including the imaginative 'The Blazing World.' From her royalist upbringing during the English Civil Wars to her unconventional marriage, Cavendish's resilience shines through. Learn about her legacy as the first female member of the Royal Society and her enduring impact on discussions of gender and society today.

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ANECDOTE

Duel and Banishment

Margaret Lucas's oldest brother, Thomas, was born before their parents married.
Their father had been banished for killing a man in a duel.

ANECDOTE

Royalist Family

The Lucas family were staunch Royalists during the English Civil Wars.
Margaret's brothers, Thomas and Charles, served as officers in the Royalist army.

ANECDOTE

Bashfulness and Court

Margaret Lucas joined Queen Henrietta Maria's court, partly due to her bashfulness.
She felt overwhelmed in large groups, regardless of the individuals' status.

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Cavendish was a prolific poet, playwright, and natural philosopher. She published multiple works under her own name before that was common for a woman, and she published at least five major works on natural philosophy.

Research:

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