An exhibition celebrating 18th Century intellectuals.
The original ‘Bluestocking’ circle was a group of intelligent 18th Century women who, discontent with their lack of education, arranged meetings where they discussed philosophical issues. These meetings spawned some of the finest talent of the age including the playwright Fanny Burney, the historian Catherine Macauley and the artist Angelica Kauffmann. To coincide with an exhibition about the Bluestockings, Anna MacNamee went along to the National Portrait Gallery to meet up with the curators Lucy Peltz and Elizabeth Eger to talk about Elizabeth Montagu - a hostess of the bluestocking meetings, nicknamed the ‘Queen of the Blues’ by Samuel Johnson. Judith Hawley, Professor of 18th century literature at Royal Holloway University and author Jane Robinson join Jane in the studio to discuss how this circle was formed, and the legacy these women have left us.
Brilliant Women: 18th Century Bluestockings by Elizabeth Eger and Lucy Peltz is published by National Portrait Gallery Publications ISBN-10: 1855143895)
