Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
The Duchess of Newcastle-upon-Tyne | |
|---|---|
| Born | Margaret Lucas 1623 Colchester, Essex, England |
| Died | 16 December 1673 (aged 49–50) London, England |
| Buried | 7 January 1674 Westminster Abbey |
| Spouse(s) | William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle |
| Father | Sir Thomas Lucas |
| Occupation | natural philosopher, author |
Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (née Lucas; 1623 [her exact birth date is unknown] – 16 December 1673) was an English philosopher, poet, scientist, fiction writer, and playwright. She was a prolific writer, publishing over 12 original texts under her name at a time when women were largely removed from publishing.
Although many would credit author Mary Shelley as the inventor of science fiction, Margaret Cavendish can also be counted as an essential pioneer. Her book The Blazing World is one of the first to fall into the science fiction genre. Additionally, as a well-connected natural philosopher, Cavendish engaged with some of the most influential minds of her time, including René Descartes, Thomas Hobbes, and Henry More.