An exhibition celebrating 18th Century intellectuals
The word ‘Bluestocking’ has often been used as a pejorative, to describe spinster-like, bookish women. However the word actually originated from a term used to celebrate a group of talented and educated women from the 18th century headed by Elizabeth Montagu. The National Portrait Gallery is currently holding a major exhibition to celebrate these cultivated women. Anna McNamee went to the gallery to find out more about Elizabeth Carter - a bluestocking who became an eminent classics scholar, a linguist in five languages and a poet whose ‘Ode to Wisdom’ was included in Samuel Richardson’s Clarissa.
Brilliant Women 18th Century Bluestockings runs until 15th June
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