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Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, (1689-1762) cousin of writer Henry Fielding, was born in London to parents of the aristocracy. Her father, Evelyn Pierrepoint, later became the first Duke of Kingston. She eloped with Edward Wortley (1712) and the two became active in court. Through social activities, she made social contacts with several literary figures, including John Gay and Alexander Pope, although Pope later attacked her in print. From 1716 to 1718, her husband served as ambassador to Turkey, where Montagu wrote her Embassy Letters. At age 47, she shared an infatuation with Francesco Algarotti, a 24-year old native Italian with literary promise. She moved to Italy to join Algarotti and, although their relationship cooled, remained on the Continent for the next twenty years. Montagu distributed her writings privately and was content not to publish avidly during her lifetime. With the exception of some anonymous articles and a pirated edition of her poetry, her letters, essays, and poems were published posthumously. In her works, she advocated higher education for women and, in turn, more political interest and involvement.
The Works of the Right Honorable Lady Mary Wortley Montagu. Including Her Correspondence, Poems, and Essays. Published by Permission from Her Genuine Papers. London: Printed for Richard Phillips, 1803. 5 vols.
This particular imprint is one of two editions of Montagu's first collected works released in 1803 by Phillips. It appears to be quite rare, as no other copies of this edition have been located. The Letters and Works of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu. Edited by Her Great Grandson Lord Wharncliffe. London: Richard Bentley, 1837. 3 vols. Second edition, revised.