Elizabeth Elstob
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Elstob the 'Saxon Nymph,' was born and brought up in the Quayside area of Newcastle upon Tyne
, and, like Mary Astell
of Newcastle, is nowadays regarded as one of the first English feminists. She was proficient in eight languages and became a pioneer in Anglo-Saxon
studies, an unprecedented achievement for a woman in the period.
In London she translated Madeleine de Scudery
's Essay upon Glory in 1708 and an English-Saxon Homily on the Nativity of St Gregory in 1709. Both works are dedicated to Queen Anne
, who is praised in feminist prefaces.
From 1702, Elizabeth was part of the circle of intelligent women around Mary Astell
, who helped to find subscribers for her Rudiments of Grammar for the English-Saxon Tongue (1715
), the first such work written in English. The preface: An Apology for the Study of Northern Antiquities took issue with the formidable Jonathan Swift
and seems to have caused him to amend his views.
Elizabeth's brother William Elstob
(1673–1715) was sent to Eton and Cambridge and entered the church. Like his sister, he was a scholar and edited Roger Ascham
's Letters in 1703. Elizabeth lived with him at Oxford from 1696, and in London from 1702.
After her brother's death she became dependent on her friends and retired to Evesham in Worcestershire, where she set up a school. After a hard struggle she obtained so many pupils that she had "scarcely time to eat." She was still in difficulties, as her scholars only paid a groat a week, She was introduced to the Duchess of Portland, daughter and was made governess to the duchess's children in the autumn of 1738, and remained in the same service until her death, 3rd of June 1756. In her last years she was surrounded by the congenial elements of dirt and her books'.
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, and, like Mary Astell
Mary Astell
Mary Astell was an English feminist writer and rhetorician. Her advocacy of equal educational opportunities for women has earned her the title "the first English feminist."-Life and career:...
of Newcastle, is nowadays regarded as one of the first English feminists. She was proficient in eight languages and became a pioneer in Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon is a term used by historians to designate the Germanic tribes who invaded and settled the south and east of Great Britain beginning in the early 5th century AD, and the period from their creation of the English nation to the Norman conquest. The Anglo-Saxon Era denotes the period of...
studies, an unprecedented achievement for a woman in the period.
In London she translated Madeleine de Scudery
Madeleine de Scudéry
Madeleine de Scudéry , often known simply as Mademoiselle de Scudéry, was a French writer. She was the younger sister of author Georges de Scudéry.-Biography:...
's Essay upon Glory in 1708 and an English-Saxon Homily on the Nativity of St Gregory in 1709. Both works are dedicated to Queen Anne
Queen Anne
"Queen Anne" generally refers to Anne, Queen of Great Britain , Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1702, and of Great Britain from 1707.Queen Anne may also refer to:-Uses relating to Queen Anne of Great Britain:...
, who is praised in feminist prefaces.
From 1702, Elizabeth was part of the circle of intelligent women around Mary Astell
Mary Astell
Mary Astell was an English feminist writer and rhetorician. Her advocacy of equal educational opportunities for women has earned her the title "the first English feminist."-Life and career:...
, who helped to find subscribers for her Rudiments of Grammar for the English-Saxon Tongue (1715
1715 in literature
The year 1715 in literature involved some significant events.-Events:* Nicholas Rowe becomes Poet Laureate of Great Britain.* Peter the Great takes lessons in maritime affairs from Hermann Boerhaave, before departing for Holland....
), the first such work written in English. The preface: An Apology for the Study of Northern Antiquities took issue with the formidable Jonathan Swift
Jonathan Swift
Jonathan Swift was an Irish satirist, essayist, political pamphleteer , poet and cleric who became Dean of St...
and seems to have caused him to amend his views.
Elizabeth's brother William Elstob
William Elstob
William Elstob , was an English divine.Elstob was the son of Ralph Elstob, merchant of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, was baptised at All Saints' Church, Newcastle, on 1 January 1673. The Elstob family claimed descent from ancient Welsh kings, and had long been settled in the diocese of Durham...
(1673–1715) was sent to Eton and Cambridge and entered the church. Like his sister, he was a scholar and edited Roger Ascham
Roger Ascham
Roger Ascham was an English scholar and didactic writer, famous for his prose style, his promotion of the vernacular, and his theories of education...
's Letters in 1703. Elizabeth lived with him at Oxford from 1696, and in London from 1702.
After her brother's death she became dependent on her friends and retired to Evesham in Worcestershire, where she set up a school. After a hard struggle she obtained so many pupils that she had "scarcely time to eat." She was still in difficulties, as her scholars only paid a groat a week, She was introduced to the Duchess of Portland, daughter and was made governess to the duchess's children in the autumn of 1738, and remained in the same service until her death, 3rd of June 1756. In her last years she was surrounded by the congenial elements of dirt and her books'.