Mary Astell (1666-1731), regarded as one of the first feminist-philosoper-writers in England, was born in Newcastle on November 12, 1666. She received an education from her uncle and clergyman, Ralph Astell. Her father, Peter Astell, died young and left the family in a state of financial turmoil, forcing them to borrow money. When she grew up, she chose to move to London by herself to be an unmarried writer, where she began her writing career in earnest. Some of her works include the Proposals (1694, 1697), Letters Concerning the Love of God (1695), Moderation Truly Stated  (1704), A Fair Way with Dissenters and Their Patrons (1704), An Impartial Enquiry into the Late Causes of Rebellion and Civil War (1704), The Christian Religion as Profess'd by Daughter of the Church (1705), and An Inquiry after Wit (1709). She is well known for her bold critiques of John Locke and is also considered to be an unorthodox Cartesian.

One of her more well known works about the treatment of women is the bold and cleverly written Some Reflections Upon Marriage (1700). It is a case against marriage using a variety of creative and logical arguments to help herself and the reader understand the cause of the evil treatment of women within the institution of marriage. She further pressed that if a woman were to desire marriage, she should fully educate herself so as to equal herself to her partner completely so he could be a friend rather than a ruler. 

After a brilliant writing career, a pious, Christian life, and revolutionary philosophical musings, Mary Astell died of breast cancer on May 9, 1731, leaving behind her books and notes to the Magdalen College Library (later ending up in the Magdalene College Library in Cambridge) for future generations to revel and study. (299)

Sources:

Sowaal, Alice. “Mary Astell.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 9 Dec. 2015, https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/astell/.

Merians, Linda E. “Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia.” Encyclopedia.com, Encyclopedia.com, https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-an....

Broad, Jacqueline. “Mary Astell.” Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, https://iep.utm.edu/astell/.

UI Press Wordmark, University of Illinois Press, https://www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=e097911.

“Mary Astell's Some Reflections Upon Marriage.” British Library, British Library, https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/mary-astells-reflections-upon-marriage.

“File:Reynold%27_Study_for_a_portrait.Jpg.” Wikipedia, Wikipedia, upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Reynold%27_Study_for_a_portrait.jpg.