The word ‘Bluestocking’ has often been used as a pejorative, to describe spinster-like, bookish women, but it originated as a term that celebrated 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 was joined at the exhibition by the co-curators, Lucy Peltz and Elizabeth Eger. In this part in our series of features on bluestocking women they find out about the religious writer and philanthropist Hannah More.
Brilliant Women 18th Century Bluestockings runs until 15th June
