Godwin (MARY also known by her maiden)

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

MARY, also known by her maiden name of MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT, an English author; born in London, April 27, 1759. She set up a school in conjunction with her sister, at Islington / in 1783. In 1786 she published "Thoughts on the Education of Daughters." This was followed by an answer to Burke's "Reflections on the French Revolution." the "Vindication of the Rights of Woman," etc. She had peculiar ideas on marriage, and formed a somewhat loose connection with one Imlay, whose desertion caused her to attempt suicide. Some time after she fixed her affection on William Godwin. As the bonds of wedlock were deemed a species of slavery in her theory, it was only to legitimize the forthcoming fruits of the union that a marriage between the parties took place. She died in giving birth to a daughter, who became the wife of Shelley the poet. Among her other works are: "Moral and Historical View of the French Revolution"; "Letters from Sweden, Norway, and Denmark." She died in London, Sept. 10, 1797. See GODWIN, WILLIAM. journalist and author; born in Paterson, N. J., Feb. 25, 1816; was graduated at Princeton College in 1834; studied law and was admitted to practice, but preferreed literary pursuits. He married a daughter of William Cullen Bryant, and from 1837 was for many years connected with the New York "Evening Post." During the administration of President Polk he was deputy collector of New York. He edited in 1843-1844 "The Pathfinder," and was for some years a contributor to the "Democratic Review." Of "Putnam's Magazine" he was for a considerable time the principal editor. He published "A Popular View of the Doctrines of Fourier" (1884); "Goethe's Autobiography"; translated and edited Zschokke's "Tales"; "Undine"; "Sintram and his Comnanions"; "Handbook of Universal Biography' (1851); "Constructive Democracy"; "History of France" (1860); "Out of the Past" (1870); "Biography of William Cullen Bryant" (1883); "The Sonnets of Shakespeare" (1900); etc. He died Jan. 7, 1904.