Synopses & Reviews
This collection of new essays examines the pervasive influence of religion upon the lives and strategies of late eighteenth and nineteenth century women activists. The book discusses a wide range of issues from female education to lesbian passion, and the authors demonstrate through detailed case-studies, women's skilful negotiation of the boundaries between personal religious beliefs, moral attitudes and social action.
About the Author
Sue Morgan is a Senior Lecturer at University College, Chichester.
Table of Contents
Introduction: Women, Religion and Feminism, Past, Present and Future Perspectives--S. Morgan *
Part I: Female Education and Moral Reform * "A Singular Injustice Towards Women": Hannah More, Evangelicalism and Female Education--A. Stott * Rational Religion and Feminism: The Challenge of Unitarianism in the Nineteenth Century--R. Watts * "At the Centre of the Circle whose Circumference Spans all Nations": Quaker Women and the Ladies Committee of the British and Foreign School Society, 1813-1837--J. Goodman & C. Leach *
Part II: Sexuality and Female Friendships * "The Gift of Love": Nineteenth Century Religion and Lesbian Passion--M.Vicinus * "Every Good Woman Needs a Companion of Her Own Sex": Quaker Women and Spiritual Friendship 1750-1850--S. Wright *
Part III: Women Writers With Causes * "Afraid to be Singular": Marianne Farmington and the Role of Women, 1857-1909--L. Wilson * Evangelicalism and Feminism: Josephine Butler, 1828-1906--H. Mathers * Victorian Women with Causes: Writing, Religion and Action--S. Rickard * Equal Questions: The "Women Question" and the "Drink Question" in the Writings of Clara Lucas Balfour, 1808-78--K.G. Doern *
Part IV: Independent Women Missionaries * Ministering Angels, not Ministers: Women's Involvement in the Foreign Missionary Movement c. 1860-1910--J. Rowbotham * Medical Missions and the History of Feminism: Emmiline Stuart of the CMS Persia Mission--G. Francis-Dehqani * Opportunities for Baptist Women and the "Problem" of the Baptist Zenana Mission, 1867-1913--L. Lauer