# data[].attributes.body
Margaret Canvendish was born from 1623-1673 in Colchester from a wealthy family. She was known as the Duchess of Newcastle. She was one of many things: philosopher, poet, playwright, and essayist. As a young child, she received little to no formal education. Her academic learning was based at home being tutored along with the rest of her seven siblings. Cavendish later assisted her majesty, Queen Henrietta Maria as a palace maid. Following the Queen’s exile, she met William Canvendish and married him in 1645. Her writing was more focused on the duality of nature vs society, and men vs. women. Ideally, “She argued that each person in society has a particular place and distinctive activity and that, furthermore, social harmony only arises when people know their proper places and perform their defining actions” (Marshall). This belief led many to believe that it clouded her judgement of gender equality. Some believes she’s a feminist, while others think otherwise. As a woman, she was bold and believed her works were worthy of publication. This specific trait made her admirable. Cavendish was later recognized for one of her most famous works of natural philosophy, “Observations Upon Experimental Philosophy” in 1666, where she was invited to attend the Royal Society, “a privilege rarely granted to women at the time,” said Marshall.

# data[].attributes.body
Some of the most central themes existent in her works are natural philosophy and gender. Natural philosophy was by far the most influential idea that “constituted” the majority of her writing as a whole. This will always be a recurring theme in her works. More or less, gender was also a central theme but with complications. It seems much of her philosophy has given some scholars a difficult time differentiating whether she is a feminist or not. For instance, in her Orations of Divers Sorts, she presented seven speeches. “She begins by lamenting the fact that men possess all the power and women entirely lack it… In a subsequent oration, she speculates that women lack power in society, due to natural inferiority” (Marshall). This is where much confusion started. Nonetheless, other scholars have different perspectives regarding this.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Observations Upon Experimental Philosophy (1666)

Published in November 2001, this novel was highly recognized during the 17th century where women writers were highly criticized. Here she “rejects the alternative views of nature that make reference to immaterial spirits” (Cambridge).

2. Philosophical Fancies (1664)

Printed in London in 1653, it covered various topics regarding ethics and empathy with the non-human world, poetics and allegorical modes, war, and much more.

3. Poems and Fancies (1653)

Published in 1653, it’s a representation of “The Four Principle Figured Atoms Make the Four Elements.”

4. Sociable Letters (1664)

Published in 1664, it discusses the status of women throughout this text: education, marriage, pregnancy, and children.

5. The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing World (1666)

More like a dream, this reflects Cavendish’s attitude or dream regarding gender. The protagonist is transported into another realm where things are peaceful and where she’s Queen -- a Utopia created by no one but her and her ideals.

# data[].attributes.body
Margaret Cavendish was of royalty. She was the Duchess of Newcastle and was one of the few spoken women writers who had a title and platform to present herself as a philosopher, poet, playwright, and essayist.

# data[].attributes.body
Gender is highly regarded in almost every novel Cavendish’s writes. Feminists and criticizers are often confused whether she’s for or against gender equality. This is an important theme Cavendish highlights.

# data[].attributes.headline
"The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing World" (1666)

# data[].attributes.subject
"The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing World" (1666)

# data[].attributes.body
One of Cavendish’s most well-known novels, “The Blazing World” written in 1666, which she writes about a Utopian world. It’s used profoundly in English.

# data[].attributes.body
“Poems and Fancies” written in 1653, was Cavendish's first novel ever to be publicized. More or less, this was a philosophy of the world, humans, and gender.

# data[].attributes.body
Another fantastic work, “Sociable Letters” written in 1664, which she talks about women and gender. “If Nature had not befriended us with beauty, and other good graces, to help us to insinuate our selves into men's affections, we should have been more enslaved than any other of Nature's creatures she hath made,” said Cavendish.

# data[].attributes.body
Boyle, Deborah. “Margaret Cavendish on Gender, Nature, and Freedom.” Hypatia, vol. 28, no. 3,

Aug. 2013, pp. 516–532. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1111/j.1527-2001.2012.01307.x., https://web-b-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.losrios.edu/ehost/command/detail?vid=5&sid=e2d97d84-4a9b-4969-b0d3-39dc4c06bd09%40sessionmgr102&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#AN=88904666&db=a9h

As a 17th century writer, there is a lack of information about Margaret Canvedish compared to other women authors. This link is one that focuses on her philosophies regarding gender, nature, and freedom. This is a peer reviewed, deep analysis, and well-critiqued academic journal that correlates some of her novels with her ideals or beliefs. This gives researchers a better understanding of her ideology.

Marshall, Eugene. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, https://iep.utm.edu/cavend-m/

This was by far one of the most helpful links that allowed me to understand Cavendish more as a woman, philosopher, and writer. Honestly, I had a difficult time connecting ideas between her philosophies and relating them back to her works. This thorough biography will continue to help me to understand Cavendish more as a person.

Mendelson, Sara. “Margaret Cavendish: Gender, Science and Politics.” Renaissance Quarterly,

vol. 69, no. 2, Summer 2016, pp. 685–686. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1086/687648., https://web-b-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.losrios.edu/ehost/command/detail?vid=7&sid=e2d97d84-4a9b-4969-b0d3-39dc4c06bd09%40sessionmgr102&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#AN=115873630&db=a9h

Similarly, this is another academic journal that explored more of Cavendish's philosophies. It is another deep analysis article that correlates her novels with her beliefs. Some believed Cavendish was not a feminist while others thought otherwise. This is an article that critiques her stance mainly regarding gender.

# data[].attributes.body
“Margaret Cavendish: Observations upon Experimental Philosophy: Philosophy Texts.”
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
University Press, 12 Nov. 2001, www.cambridge.org/us/academic/subjects/philosophy/philosophy-texts/margaret-cavendish-observations-upon-experimental-philosophy?format=HB&isbn=9780521772044.

Marshall, Eugene. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, https://iep.utm.edu/cavend-m/