"Women are only children of a larger growth,' wrote one Lord Chesterfield in 1748. It was a sentiment shared by many men of women in the 18th century - but it was about to have its foundation shaken. At a time when women didn't exist outside of their relationship to a man, couldn't own property or vote and were largely uneducated, a group of women dared to think and live as they pleased. They came to be known as the Blue Stockings Society, discussing philosophy, theatre and classics in hitherto unheard of mixed gender gatherings.
The Bluestockings' writings would go on to influence many future female authors and thinkers and pave the way for their Suffrage sisters. The beginnings and influence of the group has been explored in a new book by English writer and historian Susannah Gibson called The Bluestockings: The First Women's Movement.
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