List of women in Female Biography

Female biography was identified and named by Mary Hays (1759–1843) as a discrete empirical category of knowledge production and analysis while researching figures for the first Enlightenment prosopography of women, Female Biography; Or, memoirs of Illustrious and Celebrated Women, of all Ages and Countries (R. Phillips, 1803) in six volumes.

The first American edition came in 1807, arranged as three volumes and with minor typographical corrections (Birch & Small, Philadelphia). A new version of the encyclopedia was published again in six volumes in 2013 and 2014, as part of The Chawton House Library Series Memoirs of Women Writers (Part II: volumes 5–7; Part III, volumes 8–10; Pickering & Chatto, London). The Chawton House Library Edition (or CHLE) was edited by Gina Luria Walker, produced by a collaborative of contemporary scholars representing over 100 institutions in 18 countries and four continents, and contains new annotations and research that contextualize Hays's original sources of information.

This list of women collects all 300 figures included in Female Biography. Approximately 100 of the subjects listed here were also included in Judy Chicago's 1979 art installation The Dinner Party, either with a place setting at the table or with a ceramic tile in the Heritage Floor.

The names in the list below appear as they were spelled and alphabetized by Hays for the original publication. Hays grouped some subjects together in a single entry (resulting in a total count of 294 entries, but 300 subjects), indicated below with asterisks, all of which have been separately identified by scholars working on the modern edition.

Name Image Dates Origin Notes 1803 Vol. CHLE Vol.
Abbasa (confused with her sister, Ulayya)9th century BCEArabAbbasid princess and poet15
Adricomia (Cornelia Adrichomia)16th century?Nun, Poet15
Agnes Sorrel, or Sorreille1421–1450FrenchMistress to King Charles VII of France15
Agreda, Mary de1602–1665SpanishEcstatic Nun, Mystic15
Agrippina the Elder1st centuryRomanRoman Noblewoman15
Agrippina the Younger1st centuryRomanRoman Empress15
Albert, Jane, d’ (Jeanne d'Albret)16th centuryFrenchQueen, writer, poet, French Huguenot protectress15
Aldrude, Countess of Bertinoro12th centuryItalianCountess, Led troops to battle15
Aloysia Sigea, of Toledo (Luisa)1522–1560SpanishPoet, Major figure of Spanish Humanism15
Amalasenta6th centuryRomanOstrogoth Princess, Queen Regent15
Amboise, Frances d’15th centuryFrenchCarmelite nun15
Ammannati, Laura Battiferri1523–1589ItalianPoet15
Andreini, Isabella1562–1604ItalianActress, Writer15
Anjou, Margaret of1430–1482FrenchRoyal consort15
Anne of Austria1601–1666SpanishPrincess15
Anne of Beaujeu1461–1522FrenchPrincess and Regent15
Anne of Bretagne1477–1514FrenchQueen, patron of the arts15
Anonymous: Bettina d'Andrea*?–1335ItalianProfessor of Law and Philosophy37
Anonymous: Bettisia Gozzadini*1209–1260ItalianProfessor of Law37
Anonymous: Dorotea Bocchi*1360–1436ItalianPhysician37
Anonymous: Laura Bassi*1711–1778ItalianProfessor of Anatomy, Philosophy and Experimental Physics37
Anonymous: Maddalena Bonsignori*14th centuryItalianProfessor of Law37
Anonymous: Novella d'Andrea*14th centuryItalianProfessor of Law37
Antonia36 BCE – 37 CERomanRoman Noblewoman15
Aragon, Isabella of1470–1524ItalianPrincess15
Aragon, Joan of (Joanna of Castile?)1502–1575ItalianQueen regent15
Aragon, Tullia of1510–1556ItalianCourtesan, writer, philosopher15
Arc, Joan d', Maid of Orleans1412–1431FrenchSoldier15
Aretaphila2nd century BCEMiscellaneousCyrenean Noblewoman15
Arete (of Cyrene)4th centuryGreekPhilosopher15
Argentaria, Polla1st centuryRomanRoman Noblewoman15
Armyne, Lady Mary17th centuryEnglishBenefactress15
Arnaude de Rocas16th centuryGreekMartyr15
Arnauld, Angelique (Angélique de Saint-Jean Arnauld d'Andilly)1624–1684FrenchNun, writer15
Arnauld, Catherine Agnes (Jeanne-Catherine-Agnès Arnauld)1593–1672FrenchAbbess15
Arnauld, Mary Angelique (Jacqueline-Marie-Angélique Arnauld)1591–1661FrenchAbbess15
Arria1st century CERomanRoman Noblewoman15
Artemisia Gentileschi1593–1652ItalianPainter15
Artemesia I5th century BCEGreekCarian Queen15
Artemesia wife of Mausolus (Artemisia II of Caria)4th century BCEGreekCarian Queen15
Arundel, Mary Countess of16th centuryEnglishTranslations15
Arundell, Blanche Lady1583–1649EnglishDefended Wardour Castle15
Ascham, Margaret16th centuryEnglishWriter15
Askew, Anne1521–1546EnglishPoet, Protestant Martyr15
Aspasia5th century BCEGreekCourtesan, Intellectual15
Aspasia or Milto421–? BCEGreekMistress of Cyrus15
Astell, Mary1688–1731EnglishWriter15
Athenaisc. 401–460GreekEmpress15
Aubespine, Madeleine de l’?–1596FrenchPoet, translations15
Bacon, Lady (Ann)1528–1610EnglishTranslations15
Barbier, Mary Anne?–1745FrenchWriter, playwright, poet15
Baroni, Leonora1611–1670ItalianSinger, musician, composer15
Basine, or Bazine5th centuryGermanQueen15
Bavaria, Isabella of1370–1435Bavarian / FrenchQueen consort15
Baynard, Anne1672–1697EnglishNatural Philosopher15
Beale, Mary1632–1697EnglishPainter15
Beaufort, Joan, Queen of Scotland1st centuryEnglishQueen Consort15
Beaufort, Margaret1433–1509EnglishKing Henry VII, Benefactress15
Bectoz, Claude de?–1547FrenchAbbess, poet15
Behn, Mrs.c. 1640–1689EnglishWriter, playwright, poet15
Bendish, Bridget1650–1726EnglishGranddaughter to Oliver Cromwell15
Berenice (daughter of Herod of Agrippa)1st century BCE – 1st century CERomanJudean princess15
Bernard, Catherine?–1712FrenchWriter, playwright, poet15
Berners or Barnes, Juliana14th centuryEnglishAbbess, writer15
Berneuille, Maria Catherina le Jumel de, Countess d'Aulnoy1650–1705FrenchWriter15
Bertaut, Frances (Françoise), Madame de Motteville1621–1689FrenchMemoir writer15
Blanche of Castile13th centuryFrenchQueen, Regent15
Bland, Elizabeth17th – 18th centuryEnglishHebrew Scholar26
Boadicea (Boudica), Queen of the Britons1st centuryEnglishQueen26
Bohemia, Elizabeth Frederica of1618–1680Queen15
Boleyn, Anne1507–1536EnglishQueen, poet26
Bontems, Madame1718–1768FrenchTranslations26
Bourbon, Henrietta of (Anne Marie Louise d'Orléans, Duchess of Montpensier)1627–1693FrenchPrincess, memoirist15
Bourges, Clemence de16th centuryFrenchPoet, musician26
Bourignon, Antoinette1616–1680BelgianMystic, writer, printer26
Bovey, Catherine?–1726EnglishBenefactress26
Bregy, Countess of (Charlotte Saumaise de Chasan)1619–1684FrenchNoblewoman26
Broadstreet (Bradstreet), Anne1612–1672North AmericanPoet26
Marie Bruneau des Loges?–1641FrenchNoblewoman1
Burleigh, Lady Mildred1526–1589EnglishWriter, translations26
Burnet, Elizabeth1661–1708EnglishWriter, benefactress26
Bury, Elizabeth1644–1720EnglishDiarist26
Calphurnia1st centuryRomanWife of Pliny (the Younger)26
Calpurnia1st century BCERomanWife of Julius Caesar26
Capello, Bianca1545–1590ItalianNoblewoman26
Carew, Lady Elizabeth16th centuryEnglishWriter37
Carolina, wife to George II (Caroline of Ansbach)1683–1737GermanQueen consort26
Catherine I of Russia1684–1727Latvian?Queen26
Catherine II of Russia (Catherine the Great)1729–1796GermanQueen, writer26 & 7
Catherine of Aragon1485–1536SpanishQueen, Regent26
Catherine of Medicis1519–1589FrenchQueen consort, patron of the arts26
Centrelivre, Susannah1667–1723EnglishPoet, actress, dramatist37
Chandler, Mary1689–1745EnglishPoet37
Chapone, Mrs. (Hester)1727–1801EnglishWriter37
Charixena?GreekWriter, poet37
Chatelet, Marchioness de (Émilie)1706–1749FrenchWriter, mathematician, physicist2
Chelonis, wife of Cleombrotus II3rd century BCEGreekQueen37
Christina, Queen of Sweden1626–1689SwedishQueen37
Chudleigh, Lady Mary1656–1710EnglishWriter, poet37
Cibber, Susannah Maria1714–1766EnglishSinger, actress37
Clemente, Margaret1508–1570EnglishLearned woman, niece of Thomas More37
Cleobule (Cleobuline), daughter of Cleobulus6th century BCEGreekKnown for her verse riddles37
Cleopatra69–30 BCEEgyptianPharaoh37
Clifford, Anne, Countess of Pembroke, Dorset and Montgomery1589–1675EnglishNoblewoman, diarist37
Clive, Catherine1711–1785EnglishActress37
Cockburn, Catherine1679–1749ScottishNovelist, dramatist, philosopher37
Colonne, Victoire, Marchioness de Pescaire (Vittoria Colonna)1490–1547ItalianNoblewoman, poet37
Comnena, Anna12th centuryGreekByzantine princess, scholar, historian37
Cordaud, Isabella de (Isabella Losa of Cordova)SpanishScholar, Doctor of Theology37
Cordey, Charlotte1768–1793FrenchAssassinated Jean-Paul Marat37
Corinna5th century BCEGreekPoet, teacher37
Cornaro, Helena Lucretia1646–1685ItalianMathematician, Doctor of Philosophy37
Cornelia, mother of the Gracchi2nd century BCERomanRoman noblewoman37
Cromwell, Elizabeth1598–1665EnglishWife of Oliver Cromwell37
Cruz, Juana Inez de la1648–1695Mexican (New Spain)Scholar, poet, nun37
Cynisca440–? BCEGreekSpartan princess, first woman to win at Olympic games37
Dacier, Madame1651–1720FrenchScholar, translations48
Damophila, wife of Damophilus7th century BCEGreekPoet48
Dancy, Elizabeth1509-?EnglishDaughter of Thomas More, scholar48
Dante, Theodora16th centuryItalianMathematician48
Darbach or Karsch, Louisa1722–1791Silesian (German-language)Poet48
Davies, Lady Eleanor?–1652EnglishProphet, author48
Derby, Countess of1599–1664EnglishEnglish noblewoman48
Desmond, Countess of (Katherine Fitzgerald)c. 1504–1604IrishNoblewoman48
Dido, Queen of Carthage356–260 BCEPhoenician (modern-day Lebanon)Queen48
Diotyma5th century BCEGreekPriestess, philosopher48
Drusilla, Livia58 BCE – 29 CERomanRoman empress48
Dubois, Dorothea1728–1774EnglishNovelist, playwright48
Marie Dupré17th centuryFrenchScholar, author, poet48
Ebba, Abbess of Coldinghamc. 615–683IrishAbbess48
Edesie, wife of Hermias4th century BCEGreekPhilosopher48
Egeé13th centuryLibyan Queen, Amazon warrior48
Eleanor, wife of Lewis VII of France, and Henry II of England1112–1204FrenchQueen consort, patron of literary figures48
Elizabeth, Queen of England1533–1603EnglishQueen, writer, translations48
Elizabeth of France, Queen of Spain1545–1568FrenchQueen consort48
Elstob, Elizabeth1683–1736EnglishScholar, author, translations48
Enclos, Ninon de l'1616–1706FrenchAuthor, courtesan, patron of the arts48
Emma, Queen of Englandc. 985–1052English (Norman)Queen consort48
Eponina (or Epponina)1st centuryRomanRoman matron (wife of Julius Sabinus)48
Erinna4th century BCEGreekPoet48
Estrada, Maria d’16th centurySpanishWarrior48
Ethelfleda, Queen of England?–922EnglishQueen48
Eurydice4th century BCEScholar68
Eusebia (Flavia Auelia, wife of Constance)4th centuryRomanRoman matron48
Falconberg, Lady daughter of Oliver Cromwell1637–1713Englishdaughter of Oliver Cromwell48
Fane, Lady Elizabeth16th centuryEnglishAuthor48
Fannia (daughter of Paetus Thrasea)1st centuryRomanRoman political rebel48
Fayette, Countess de la (Marie-Madeleine Pioche de la Vergne)?–1698FrenchAuthor, novelist48
Fidele, Cassandra1465-?ItalianScholar, poet48
Fielding, Sarah1714–1768EnglishAuthor, novelist48
Finch, Anne, Countess of Winchelsea1661–1720EnglishPoet48
Fischer, Mary17th centuryEnglishQuaker zealot48
Foix, Margaret de, Duchess D’Épernon16th centuryFrenchDuchess48
Fulvia, wife of Marc Antony1st century BCERomanRoman aristocrat48
Galigai, Leonora?–1617FrenchAlleged witch48
Gethin, Lady Grace1676–1697EnglishScholar, essayist48
Gonzaga, Cecilia de1425–1451ItalianScholar48
Gonzaga, Eleonora1493–1570ItalianGoverned Urbino during her husband's exile, patron48
Gonzaga, Isabella de (Elisabetta Gonzaga?)1471–1526ItalianNoblewoman48
Gonzaga, Julia1513–1566ItalianNoblewoman48
Gonzaga, Lucretia16th centuryItalianNoblewoman, writer, scholar48
Gray, Lady Jane1622–1699EnglishScholar, Monarch48
Grierson, Constantia1706–1732IrishScholar, poet, midwife48
Guercheville, Madame de16th centuryFrenchNoblewoman, patron48
Guillaume, Jacquette17th centuryFrenchWriter48
Guillet, Pernette du16th centuryFrenchPoet48
Guyon, Madame (Jeanne-Marie Bouvier de la Motte-Guyon)1648–1717FrenchMystic, writer48
Haerin, Lucia (Lucy Russell, Countess of Bedford)1580–1627EnglishPatron of arts and literature48
Halket, Lady Anna1622–1699EnglishWriter, autobiographer48
Harcourt, Harriet Eusebia1705–1745Englishestablished Protestant nunnery48
Hardwick, Elizabeth, (Countess of Shrewsbury)1520–1607EnglishNoblewoman, famous for her building projects48
Hastings, Lady Elizabeth1682–1739EnglishBenefactress48
Haywood, Elizabeth1698–1756EnglishWriter, actress, publisher48
Helena Flavia, mother of Constantine the Great250–330RomanMother of Emperor Constantine48
Heloise1101–1164FrenchWriter, scholar, abbess48
Helpes (Elpes, wife of Anicius Marius Torgquatus Severinus Boetius)6th centuryRomanLearned woman48
Heron, Cecilia1510-?EnglishLearned woman48
Hersilia9th century BCERomanWife of Romulus, mediator48
Hildegurdis (Hildegard of Bingen)1098–1179GermanChristian mystic, abbess48
Hipparchia3rd centuryGreekPhilosopher48
Hopton, Susanna1627–1709EnglishReligious writer48
Hortensia1st century BCERomanOrator48
Houlieres, Antoinetta de la garde des1638–1694FrenchScholar, philosopher, poet48
Hyde, Ann1637–1671EnglishWriter48
Hypatia4th centuryGreekMathematician, philosopher48
Inglis, Esther1571–1624ScottishCalligrapher, translator, writer48
Isabella, Queen of Hungary16th centuryPolishQueen consort48
Jane, Queen of France1337–1378FrenchQueen consort to Charles V48
Jardins, Mary Catherine de1640–1683FrenchAuthor, playwright48
Jars, Mary de, Lady of Gournay1565–1645FrenchAuthor, editor48
Julia Domna?–217Roman?Roman Empress48
Juliana, anchoret of Norwich14th centuryEnglishMystic48
Killigrew, Anne1660–1685EnglishPoet48
Killigrew, Katherine1530–?EnglishPoet48
Labe, Louise1525–1566FrenchPoet48
Lambrun, Margaret16th centuryScottishWould-be assassin of Queen Elizabeth48
Landa, Catherine?–1526ItalianLearned woman, writer48
Lane, Mrs. Jane1626–1689EnglishAssisted in the escape of Charles II48
Leapor, Mary1722–1746EnglishPoet48
Legge, Elizabeth1580–1685EnglishLearned woman, poet48
Leontium4th century BCEGreekPhilosopher48
Elizabeth, Countess of Lincolnc. 1574 – c. 1630EnglishWriter48
Lionna6th century BCEGreekGreek heroine48
Longvie, Jaquiline de, Duchess of Montpensier16th centuryFrenchNoblewoman, leader of troops48
Lucar, Elizabeth1510–1537EnglishCalligrapher48
Lucretia5th century BCERomanRoman matron48
Lumley, Joanna Lady?–1620EnglishScholar, translations48
Macaulay, Mrs.1733–1791EnglishWriter, historian59
Maeroe??Learned woman59
Magdalene de St Nectaire1526–1570FrenchProtestant heroine of holy wars59
Maintenon, Madame de (Francoise d'Aubigne Madame Scarron)1635–1719FrenchInfluential wife to King Louis XIV of France59
Margaret de Valois, Queen of Navarre (Marguerite d'Angoulême)1492–1549FrenchQueen consort, author, patron59
Maria4th century BCEGreekGreek warrior59
Marinelli, Lucrezia17th centuryItalianWriter59
Mary, an Anglo-Norman Poetess13th centuryFrenchPoet59
Mary, Queen of Hungary1503–1558Hungarian?Queen consort59
Mary, Queen of Scots1517–1567EnglishQueen regent59
Masham, Damaris Lady1659–1708EnglishPhilosopher59
Matoaks or Matoaka1585–1617North AmericanNative American, assisted Jamestown settlers59
Moesa and Mammea – Julia Avita Mamaea180–235RomanRoman matron, daughter of Julia Moesa59
Moesa and Mammea – Julia Moesac. 165 – c. 224RomanRoman matron, sister of Julia Domna59
Molsa, Tarquinia1474–1534ItalianSinger, poet59
Monk, The Honourable Mrs.? – 1715IrishPoet59
Morata, Olympia Fulvia1526–1555ItalianScholar59
Mountfourt, Countess of14th centuryFrenchConsort Duchess of Brittany59
Nemours, Dutchess of (Marie d'Orléans-Longueville)1625–1707FrenchMemoirist59
Newcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of1623–1673EnglishWriter59
North, The Honorable Mrs. Dudley1675–1712EnglishScholar59
Norton, Lady Frances1650–1720EnglishWriter, poet59
Octavia, wife of Marc-Antony? – 744RomanRoman matron610
Octavia, wife to Nero40–62RomanRoman Empress610
Oldfield, Mrs.1683–1730EnglishActress610
Padilla, Maria Pacheco1496–1531SpanishSpanish matron, warrior610
Pakington, Dorothy Lady1623–1679EnglishWriter610
Parthenai, Anne de16th centuryFrenchLearned woman610
Parthenai, Catherine de16th centuryFrenchPoet610
Paulina (wife of Seneca)1st centuryRomanIntellectual610
Perilla1st century BCERomanPoet610
Perwich, Susanna1636–1661EnglishLearned woman, musician610
Phila4th century?Noblewoman, politician610
Philippa, Queen of England1311–1369English?Queen consort, regent610
Phillips, Katherine1631–1664EnglishPoet610
Pilkington, Letitia1712-IrishPoet610
Pix, Mrs. (Mary Pix)1666–1720EnglishNovelist, playwright610
Poitiers, Diana de1499–1566FrenchNoblewoman, Mistress to Henry II of France610
Porcia, daughter of Cato70–43 BCERomanLearned woman610
Pozzo, Modesto1555–1592ItalianWriter610
Praxilla8th century BCEGreekLyric poet610
Proba (Valerie Falconia)4th centuryRomanPoet610
Renata, Duchess of Ferrara (Renée de France)1510–1574FrenchDuchess610
Rohan, Anne de (Anne de Rohan-Chabot and Madame de Frontenay)1562–1646FrenchNoblewoman, Mistress to Louis XIV610
Rohan, Marie Eleonore de1628–1681FrenchAbbess, writer610
Roland, Madame1754–1793FrenchWriter, politician610
Roper, Margaret (daughter of Sir Thomas More)1505–1544EnglishWriter, translations610
Roper, Mary (daughter of Margaret Roper)1526–1588EnglishLearned woman, translations610
Rosares, Isabella de16th centurySpanishPreacher610
Rowe, Mrs. Elizabeth1674–1737EnglishPoet, novelist610
Rufina, Claudia1st centuryRomanWriter610
Russel, Lady Elizabeth1529–1609EnglishPoet, musician610
Russel, Lady Rachel1636–1723EnglishAuthor610
Sade, Laura1310–1348FrenchMuse to Petrarch610
Sappho6th century BCEGreekPoet610
Scala, Alexandra1475–1506ItalianScholar610
Schurman, Anna Maria1607–1678German-DutchPainter, engraver, poet, scholar610
Scudery, Madeleine de1607–1701FrenchWriter610
Anne de Seguier16th centuryFrenchPoet610
Semiramis2200 BCEAssyrianQueen610
Seturman, Madame?GermanPainter, musician, philosopher, scholar610
Sevigne, Marchioness de1626–1696FrenchLetter writer610
Seymour, Lady Arabella1577–1615EnglishNoblewoman610
Seymour Ladies (Ann)*died 1588EnglishWriter610
Seymour Ladies (Jane)*c. 1541–1561EnglishWriter610
Seymour Ladies (Margaret)*1540-?EnglishWriter610
Sforza, Catherine15th centuryItalianMedical expert610
Sforza, Isabella16th centuryItalianHumanist writer610
Sheridan, Mrs. Frances1724–1767IrishNovelist, playwright610
Sophronia4th centuryRomanMartyr610
Sulpicia (wife of Quintus Fulvius Flaccus)1st centuryRomanLady of "virtue"610
Sunderland, Countess of (Dorothy Spencer)1617–1683EnglishNoblewoman610
Suze, Countess de la (Henriette de Coligny, Comtesse de la Suze)1618–1673FrenchPoet, songwriter610
Sydney, Mary, Countess of Pembroke1561–1621EnglishWriter, translations610
Tanaquil6th century BCERomanRoman queen610
TelesillaFl. 510 BCEGreekPoet610
Theano Locrencis (Melica)*5th century BCEGreekPoet610
Theano of Crete*?GreekPoet, philosopher610
Theano Thuria or Metapotino*?GreekPoet610
Thomas, Mrs. (Corinna)1675–1730EnglishPoet610
Thymele?GreekPoet, composer610
Tishem, Catherine16th centuryDutch/EnglishLearned woman610
Tollet, Elizabeth1694–1754EnglishPoet610
Tymicha5th century BCEGreekGreek heroine610
Valeria?–315RomanRoman empress, protectress of Christians610
Valliere, Mademoiselle de la1644–1710FrenchMistress to Louis XIV610
Veturia5th century BCERomanRoman matron610
Vigne, Anne de la1634–1684FrenchPoet610
Warwick, Countess of (Mary Rich)1625–1678EnglishBenefactress610
Weston, Elizabeth Jane1581–1612EnglishPoet610
Wharton, Anne1632–1685EnglishPoet, dramatist610
Winchelsea, Anne Kingsmill Countess of1661–1720EnglishPoet610
Zenobia240–274SyrianQueen, warrior610

Notes

    References

    • Hays, Mary. Female Biography; or Memoirs of Illustrious and Celebrated Women of all Ages and Countries (6 volumes). London: R. Phillips, 1803.
    • Hays, Mary, and Gina Luria Walker. Female Biography; or, Memoirs of Illustrious and Celebrated Women, of All Ages and Countries (1803). Chawton House Library Series: Women's Memoirs, ed. Gina Luria Walker, Memoirs of Women Writers Part II. London: Pickering & Chatto, 2013. Memoirs of Women Writers Part III. London: Pickering & Chatto, 2014.
    • Walker, Gina Luria. "Mary Hays." Project Continua (2014)
    • "Female Biography". 1807. Full text of all three volumes available online at Hathi Trust
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