List of women in Female Biography

Female biography was identified and named by Mary Hays (1759–1843) as a discrete empirical category of knowledge production and analysis while researching figures for the first Enlightenment prosopography of women, Female Biography; Or, memoirs of Illustrious and Celebrated Women, of all Ages and Countries (R. Phillips, 1803) in six volumes.

The first American edition came in 1807, arranged as three volumes and with minor typographical corrections (Birch & Small, Philadelphia). A new version of the encyclopedia was published again in six volumes in 2013 and 2014, as part of The Chawton House Library Series Memoirs of Women Writers (Part II: volumes 5–7; Part III, volumes 8–10; Pickering & Chatto, London). The Chawton House Library Edition (or CHLE) was edited by Gina Luria Walker, produced by a collaborative of contemporary scholars representing over 100 institutions in 18 countries and four continents, and contains new annotations and research that contextualize Hays's original sources of information.

This list of women collects all 300 figures included in Female Biography. Approximately 100 of the subjects listed here were also included in Judy Chicago's 1979 art installation The Dinner Party, either with a place setting at the table or with a ceramic tile in the Heritage Floor.

The names in the list below appear as they were spelled and alphabetized by Hays for the original publication. Hays grouped some subjects together in a single entry (resulting in a total count of 294 entries, but 300 subjects), indicated below with asterisks, all of which have been separately identified by scholars working on the modern edition.

Name Image Dates Origin Notes 1803 Vol. CHLE Vol.
Abbasa (confused with her sister, Ulayya)8th-9th centuryArabAbbasid princess and poet15
Adricomia (Cornelia Adrichomia)16th centuryDutchNun, Poet15
Agnes Sorrel, or Sorreille1422–1450FrenchMistress to King Charles VII of France15
Agreda, Mary de1602–1665SpanishEcstatic Nun, Mystic15
Agrippina the Elderd.33 CERomanRoman Noblewoman15
Agrippina the Younger15-59RomanRoman Empress15
Albert, Jane, d’ (Jeanne d'Albret)1528-1572FrenchQueen, writer, poet, French Huguenot protectoress15
Aldrude, Countess of Bertinoro12th centuryItalianCountess, Led troops to battle15
Aloysia Sigea, of Toledo (Luisa)1522–1560SpanishPoet, Major figure of Spanish Humanism15
Amalasenta495-535OstrogothOstrogoth Princess, Queen Regent15
Amboise, Frances d’1427-1485FrenchCarmelite nun15
Ammannati, Laura Battiferri1523–1589ItalianPoet15
Andreini, Isabella1562–1604ItalianActress, Writer15
Anjou, Margaret of1430–1482FrenchRoyal consort15
Anne of Austria1601–1666SpanishPrincess15
Anne of Beaujeu1461–1522FrenchPrincess and Regent15
Anne of Bretagne1477–1514FrenchQueen, patron of the arts15
Anonymous: Bettina d'Andrea*1311–1355ItalianProfessor of Law and Philosophy37
Anonymous: Bettisia Gozzadini*1209–1260ItalianProfessor of Law37
Anonymous: Dorotea Bocchi*1360–1436ItalianPhysician37
Anonymous: Laura Bassi*1711–1778ItalianProfessor of Anatomy, Philosophy and Experimental Physics37
Anonymous: Maddalena Bonsignori*14th centuryItalianProfessor of Law37
Anonymous: Novella d'Andrea*14th centuryItalianProfessor of Law37
Antonia36 BCE – 37 CERomanRoman Noblewoman15
Aragon, Isabella of1470–1524NeapolitanPrincess15
Aragon, Joan of (Giovanna d'Aragona)1502–1575NeapolitanNoblewoman15
Aragon, Tullia ofd.1556ItalianCourtesan, writer, philosopher15
Arc, Joan d', Maid of Orleansd.1431FrenchSoldier15
Aretaphila2nd century BCEGreekCyrenean Noblewoman15
Arete (of Cyrene)4th century BCEGreekPhilosopher15
Argentaria, Polla1st centuryRomanRoman Noblewoman15
Armyne, Lady Maryd.1676EnglishBenefactress15
Arnaude de Rocasd.1570GreekMartyr15
Arnauld, Angelique (Angélique de Saint-Jean Arnauld d'Andilly)1624–1684FrenchNun, writer15
Arnauld, Catherine Agnes (Jeanne-Catherine-Agnès Arnauld)1593–1672FrenchAbbess15
Arnauld, Mary Angelique (Jacqueline-Marie-Angélique Arnauld)1591–1661FrenchAbbess15
Arria1st century CERomanRoman Noblewoman15
Artemisia Gentileschi1593–c.1656ItalianPainter15
Artemesia I5th century BCEGreekCarian Queen15
Artemesia wife of Mausolus (Artemisia II of Caria)d.351 BCEGreekCarian Queen15
Arundel, Mary Countess ofd.1557EnglishTranslations15
Arundell, Blanche Ladyd.1649EnglishDefended Wardour Castle15
Ascham, Margaret16th centuryEnglishWriter15
Askew, Anne1521–1546EnglishPoet, Protestant Martyr15
Aspasia5th century BCEGreekCourtesan, Intellectual15
Aspasia or Milto5th century BCEGreekMistress of Cyrus15
Astell, Mary1666–1731EnglishWriter15
Athenaisd.460GreekEmpress15
Aubespine, Madeleine de l’1546–1596FrenchPoet, translations15
Bacon, Lady (Ann)d.1610EnglishTranslations15
Barbier, Mary Anned.1745FrenchWriter, playwright, poet15
Baroni, Leonora1611–1670ItalianSinger, musician, composer15
Basine, or Bazine5th centuryGermanQueen15
Bavaria, Isabella of1370–1435Bavarian / FrenchQueen consort15
Baynard, Anne1672–1697EnglishNatural Philosopher15
Beale, Mary1632–1697EnglishPainter15
Beaufort, Joan, Queen of Scotlandd.1445EnglishQueen Consort15
Beaufort, Margaret1443–1509EnglishMother of King Henry VII, Benefactress15
Bectoz, Claude de1490–1547FrenchAbbess, poet15
Behn, Aphra1640–1689EnglishWriter, playwright, poet15
Bendish, Bridget1650–1726EnglishGranddaughter to Oliver Cromwell15
Berenice (daughter of Herod of Agrippa)1st century CEJudeanJudean princess15
Bernard, Catherine1663–1712FrenchWriter, playwright, poet15
Berners or Barnes, Juliana14th-15th centuryEnglishAbbess, writer15
Berneuille, Maria Catherina le Jumel de, Countess d'Aulnoyd.1705FrenchWriter15
Bertaut, Frances (Françoise), Madame de Mottevilled.1689FrenchMemoir writer15
Blanche of Castile1188-1252SpanishQueen, Regent15
Bland, Elizabeth17th–18th centuryEnglishHebrew Scholar26
Boadicea (Boudica), Queen of the Britons1st centuryBritonsQueen26
Bohemia, Elizabeth Frederica of1618–1680GermanPhilosopher15
Boleyn, Anned.1536EnglishQueen, poet26
Bontems, Madame (Marie-Jeanne de Châtillon Bontemps)1718–1768FrenchTranslator26
Bourbon, Henrietta of (Anne Marie Louise d'Orléans, Duchess of Montpensier)1627–1693FrenchPrincess, memoirist15
Bourges, Clemence de16th centuryFrenchPoet, musician26
Bourignon, Antoinette1616–1680FlemishMystic, writer, printer26
Bovey, Catherine1669–1726EnglishBenefactress26
Bregy, Countess of (Charlotte Saumaise de Chasan)1619–1684FrenchNoblewoman26
Broadstreet (Bradstreet), Anne1612–1672EnglishPoet26
Marie Bruneau des Loges1584–1641FrenchNoblewoman, salonniere1
Burleigh, Lady Mildred1526–1589EnglishWriter, translator26
Burnet, Elizabeth1661–1709EnglishWriter, benefactress26
Bury, Elizabeth1644-1720EnglishDiarist26
Calphurnia (Calpurnia)1st centuryRomanWife of Pliny (the Younger)26
Calpurnia1st century BCERomanFinal wife of Julius Caesar26
Capello, Bianca1548–1587ItalianNoblewoman26
Carew, Lady Elizabethd.1546EnglishWriter37
Carolina, wife to George II (Caroline of Ansbach)1683–1737GermanQueen consort26
Catherine I of Russia1684–1727SwedishQueen26
Catherine II of Russia (Catherine the Great)1729–1796GermanQueen, writer26 & 7
Catherine of Aragon1485–1536SpanishQueen, Regent26
Catherine of Medicis1519–1589ItalianQueen consort, patron of the arts26
Centrelivre, Susannahd.1723EnglishPoet, actress, dramatist37
Chandler, Mary1687–1745EnglishPoet37
Chapone, Mrs. (Hester)1727–1801EnglishWriter37
Charixena6th century BCEGreekWriter, poet37
Chatelet, Marchioness de (Émilie)1706–1749FrenchWriter, mathematician, physicist2
Chelonis, wife of Cleombrotus II3rd century BCEGreekQueen37
Christina, Queen of Sweden1626–1689SwedishQueen37
Chudleigh, Lady Mary1656–1710EnglishWriter, poet37
Cibber, Susannah Maria1714–1766EnglishSinger, actress37
Clemente, Margaret1508–1570EnglishLearned woman, niece of Thomas More37
Cleobule (Cleobuline), daughter of Cleobulus6th century BCEGreekKnown for her verse riddles37
Cleopatrad.30 BCEEgyptianPharaoh37
Clifford, Anne, Countess of Pembroke, Dorset and Montgomery1590–1676EnglishNoblewoman, diarist37
Clive, Catherine1711–1785EnglishActress37
Cockburn, Catherine1679–1749EnglishNovelist, dramatist, philosopher37
Colonne, Victoire, Marchioness de Pescaire (Vittoria Colonna)1492–1547ItalianNoblewoman, poet37
Comnena, Anna1083-1153GreekByzantine princess, scholar, historian37
Cordaud, Isabella de (Isabella Losa of Cordova)1490-1564CatalanScholar, Jesuit patron37
Cordey, Charlotte1768–1793FrenchAssassin of Jean-Paul Marat37
Corinna5th century BCEGreekPoet, teacher37
Cornaro, Helena Lucretia1646–1684ItalianMathematician, Doctor of Philosophy37
Cornelia, mother of the Gracchi2nd century BCERomanRoman noblewoman37
Cromwell, Elizabeth1598–1665EnglishWife of Oliver Cromwell37
Cruz, Juana Inez de la1651–1695Mexican (New Spain)Scholar, poet, nun37
Cynisca5th century BCEGreekSpartan princess, first woman to win at the Olympic games37
Dacier, Madamed.1720FrenchScholar, translator48
Damophila (Damophyla), wife of Damophilus7th century BCEGreekPoet, contemporary of Sappho48
Dancy, Elizabeth1506-1564EnglishDaughter of Thomas More, scholar48
Dante, Theodora (Teodora Danti)16th centuryItalianMathematician, artist48
Darbach or Karsch, Louisa1722–1791Silesian (German-language)Poet48
Davies, Lady Eleanor1590–1652EnglishProphet, author48
Derby, Countess of1599–1664EnglishEnglish noblewoman48
Desmond, Countess of (Katherine Fitzgerald)d.1604IrishNoblewoman48
Dido, Queen of Carthage9th century BCEPhoenician (modern-day Lebanon)Queen48
Diotyma5th century BCEGreekPriestess, philosopher48
Drusilla, Livia59 BCE–29 CERomanRoman empress48
Dubois, Dorothea1728–1774EnglishNovelist, playwright48
Marie Dupré1650-1700FrenchScholar, author, poet48
Ebba, Abbess of Coldinghamd.870EnglishAbbess48
Edesie, wife of Hermias5th centuryRomanPhilosopher48
Egeé13th century BCENorth AfricanLibyan Queen, Amazon warrior48
Eleanor of Aquitaine, wife of Louis VII of France, and Henry II of Englandd.1204FrenchQueen consort, patron of literary figures48
Elizabeth, Queen of England1533–1603EnglishQueen, writer, translator48
Elizabeth of France, Queen of Spain1546–1568FrenchQueen consort48
Elstob, Elizabeth1683–1756EnglishScholar, author, translations48
Enclos, Ninon de l'1620–1705FrenchAuthor, courtesan, patron of the arts48
Emma, Queen of Englandd.1052NormanQueen consort48
Eponina (or Epponina)1st centuryRomanRoman matron (wife of Julius Sabinus)48
Erinna4th century BCEGreekPoet48
Estrada, Maria d’15th-16th centurySpanishWarrior48
Ethelfleda, Queen of Merciad.918EnglishQueen48
Eurydice5th-4th century BCEIllyrianQueen, scholar68
Eusebia, wife of Constance4th centuryRomanRoman matron48
Falconberg, Lady daughter of Oliver Cromwell1637–1713Englishdaughter of Oliver Cromwell48
Fane, Lady Elizabethd.1568EnglishAuthor48
Fannia (daughter of Paetus Thrasea)1st centuryRomanRoman political rebel48
Fayette, Countess de la (Marie-Madeleine Pioche de la Vergne)1634-1693FrenchAuthor, novelist48
Fidele, Cassandrad.1558ItalianScholar, poet48
Fielding, Sarah1710–1768EnglishAuthor, novelist48
Finch, Anne, Countess of Winchelsea1661–1720EnglishPoet48
Fischer, Maryd.1698EnglishQuaker zealot48
Foix, Margaret de, Duchess D’Épernon (Marguerite de Foix-Candale)1567-1593FrenchHeiress48
Fulvia, wife of Marc Antonyd.40 BCERomanRoman aristocrat, populist leader48
Galigai, Leonora1568–1617ItalianAlleged witch48
Gethin, Lady Grace1676–1697EnglishScholar, essayist48
Gonzaga, Cecilia de1426–1451ItalianScholar, noblewoman48
Gonzaga, Eleonora1493–1570ItalianGoverned Urbino during her husband's exile, patron48
Gonzaga, Isabella de (Elisabetta Gonzaga)1471–1526ItalianNoblewoman, patron48
Gonzaga, Julia1513–1566ItalianNoblewoman48
Gonzaga, Lucretia1522-1576ItalianNoblewoman, writer, scholar48
Gray, Lady Janed.1554EnglishQueen of England for 9 days48
Grierson, Constantiad.1732IrishScholar, poet, midwife48
Guercheville, Madame de1560-1632FrenchNoblewoman, patron48
Guillaume, Jacquette17th centuryFrenchWriter48
Guillet, Pernette dud.1545FrenchPoet48
Guyon, Madame (Jeanne-Marie Bouvier de la Motte-Guyon)1648–1717FrenchMystic, writer48
Haerin, Lucia (Lucy Russell, Countess of Bedford)1581–1627EnglishPatron of arts and literature48
Halket, Lady Annad.1699EnglishWriter, autobiographer48
Harcourt, Harriet Eusebia1705–1745EnglishNonexistent person, alleged to have established a Protestant nunnery in Richmond48
Hardwick, Elizabeth, (Countess of Shrewsbury)d.1608EnglishNoblewoman, famous for her building projects48
Hastings, Lady Elizabeth1682–1739EnglishBenefactress48
Haywood, Elizabethd.1756EnglishWriter, actress, publisher48
Helena Flavia, mother of Constantine the Greatd.330RomanMother of Emperor Constantine48
Heloise12th centuryFrenchWriter, scholar, abbess48
Helpes (Elpis, wife of Boethius)5th-6th centuryRomanLearned woman48
Heron, Cecily16th centuryEnglishLearned woman48
Hersilia8th century BCERomanWife of Romulus, mediator48
Hildegurdis (Hildegard of Bingen)d.1179GermanChristian mystic, abbess48
Hipparchia4th century BCEGreekPhilosopher48
Hopton, Susanna1627–1709EnglishReligious writer48
Hortensia1st century BCERomanOrator48
Houlieres, Antoinetta de la garde des1638–1694FrenchScholar, philosopher, poet48
Hyde, Ann1637–1671EnglishWriter48
Hypatiad.415GreekMathematician, philosopher48
Inglis, Esther1571–1624ScottishCalligrapher, translator, writer48
Isabella, Queen of Hungary1519-1559PolishQueen consort48
Jane, Queen of France1338–1378FrenchQueen consort to Charles V48
Jardins, Mary Catherine de1640–1683FrenchAuthor, playwright48
Jars, Mary de, Lady of Gournay1565–1645FrenchAuthor, editor48
Julia Domnad.217SyrianRoman Empress48
Juliana, anchoret of Norwich14th-15th centuryEnglishMystic, anchorite48
Killigrew, Anne1660-1685EnglishPoet48
Killigrew, Katherined.1583EnglishScholar48
Labe, Louised.1566FrenchPoet48
Lambrun, Margaret16th centuryScottishWould-be assassin of Queen Elizabeth I48
Landa, Catherine (Caterina Landi, Countess of Melzo)d.1587ItalianLearned woman, poet48
Lane, Mrs. Janed.1689EnglishAssisted in the escape of Charles II48
Leapor, Mary1722–1746EnglishPoet48
Legge, Elizabeth1580–1685EnglishLearned woman, poet48
Leontium4th century BCEGreekPhilosopher48
Elizabeth, Countess of Lincolnd.1638EnglishWriter48
Lionna6th century BCEGreekGreek heroine48
Longvie, Jaquiline de, Duchess of Montpensierd.1561FrenchNoblewoman48
Lucar, Elizabeth1510–1537EnglishCalligrapher48
Lucretiad.510 BCERomanRoman matron48
Lumley, Joanna Lady1537–1578EnglishScholar, translator48
Macaulay, Mrs.1731–1791EnglishWriter, historian59
Maeroe4th century BCEGreekLearned woman59
Magdalene de St Nectaire1526–1575FrenchProtestant heroine of the French Wars of Religion59
Maintenon, Madame de (Francoise d'Aubigne Madame Scarron)1635–1719FrenchInfluential wife to King Louis XIV of France59
Margaret de Valois, Queen of Navarre (Marguerite d'Angoulême)1492–1549FrenchQueen consort, author, patron59
Maria (Mania)5th century BCEAnatolianSatrap59
Marinelli, Lucrezia17th centuryItalianWriter59
Mary, an Anglo-Norman Poetess12th-13th centuryFrenchPoet59
Mary, Queen of Hungary1505–1558FlemishQueen consort, governor of the Hapsburg Netherlands59
Mary, Queen of Scots1542–1587ScottishQueen59
Masham, Damaris Lady1659–1708EnglishPhilosopher59
Matoaks or Matoaka1585–1617AlgonquianNative American, assisted Jamestown settlers59
Moesa and Mammea – Julia Avita Mamaead.235SyrianRoman matron, daughter of Julia Moesa59
Moesa and Mammea – Julia Moesa3rd-4th centurySyrianRoman politician, sister of Julia Domna59
Molsa, Tarquinia1542–1617ItalianSinger, poet59
Monk, The Honourable Mrs.d.1715IrishPoet59
Morata, Olympia Fulvia1526–1555ItalianScholar59
Mountfourt, Countess ofd.1374FrenchDuchess of Brittany, war leader59
Nemours, Dutchess of (Marie d'Orléans-Longueville)1625–1707FrenchMemoirist59
Newcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of1623–1673EnglishWriter59
North, The Honorable Mrs. Dudley1675–1712EnglishScholar59
Norton, Lady Frances1644–1731EnglishWriter, poet59
Octavia, wife of Marc-Antonyd.11 BCERomanRoman matron610
Octavia, wife to Nerod.62RomanRoman Empress610
Oldfield, Mrs.1683–1730EnglishActress610
Padilla, Maria Pachecod.1531SpanishSpanish matron, warrior610
Pakington, Dorothy Lady1623–1679EnglishWriter610
Parthenai, Anne de16th centuryFrenchLearned woman610
Parthenai, Catherine de1554-1631FrenchPoet610
Paulina (wife of Seneca)1st centuryRomanIntellectual610
Perilla1st century BCERomanPoet, addressed by Ovid610
Perwich, Susannad.1661EnglishLearned woman, musician610
Philad.287 BCE?Noblewoman, politician610
Philippa, Queen of Englandd.1369FlemishQueen consort, regent610
Phillips, Katherined.1664EnglishPoet610
Pilkington, Letitiad.1750IrishPoet610
Pix, Mrs. (Mary Pix)1666–1709EnglishNovelist, playwright610
Poitiers, Diana de1500–1566FrenchNoblewoman, Mistress to Henry II of France610
Porcia, daughter of Catod.43 BCERomanLearned woman610
Pozzo, Modesto1555–1592ItalianWrite r610
Praxilla5th century BCEGreekLyric poet610
Proba (Valerie Falconia)4th centuryRomanPoet610
Renata, Duchess of Ferrara (Renée de France)1510–1574FrenchDuchess610
Rohan, Anne de1584–1646FrenchPoet610
Rohan, Marie Eleonore de1626–1682FrenchAbbess, writer610
Roland, Madame1754–1793FrenchWriter, politician610
Roper, Margaret (daughter of Sir Thomas More)1505–1544EnglishWriter, translator610
Roper, Mary (daughter of Margaret Roper)d.1572EnglishLearned woman, translator610
Rosares, Isabella de16th centuryCatalanPreacher610
Rowe, Mrs. Elizabeth1674–1737EnglishPoet, novelist610
Rufina, Claudia1st centuryRomanWriter610
Russel, Lady Elizabethd.1609EnglishPoet, musician610
Russel, Lady Racheld.1723EnglishAuthor610
Sade, Laurad.1348FrenchPetrarch's muse610
Sappho7th-6th century BCEGreekPoet610
Scala, Alexandra1475–1506ItalianScholar610
Schurman, Anna Maria1607–1678German-DutchPainter, engraver, poet, scholar610
Scudery, Madeleine de1607–1701FrenchWriter610
Anne de Seguier16th centuryFrenchPoet610
Semiramis (based on the historical Shammuramat)9th century BCEAssyrianQueen610
Seturman, Madame, another name for Anna Maria van Schurman1607-1678GermanPainter, musician, philosopher, scholar610
Sevigne, Marchioness de1626–1696FrenchLetter writer610
Seymour, Lady Arabella1575–1616EnglishNoblewoman610
Seymour Ladies (Ann)*1538-1588EnglishWriter610
Seymour Ladies (Jane)*d.1561EnglishWriter610
Seymour Ladies (Margaret)*16th centuryEnglishWriter610
Sforza, Catherine1483-1509ItalianNoblewomen610
Sforza, Isabella1503-1561ItalianLetter writer610
Sheridan, Mrs. Frances1724–1766IrishNovelist, playwright610
Sophronia4th centuryRomanMartyr610
Sulpicia (wife of Quintus Fulvius Flaccus)3rd century BCERomanLady of "virtue"610
Sunderland, Countess of (Dorothy Spencer)1617–1683EnglishNoblewoman610
Suze, Countess de la (Henriette de Coligny, Comtesse de la Suze)1618–1673FrenchPoet, songwriter610
Sydney, Mary, Countess of Pembroke1561–1621EnglishWriter, translator610
Tanaquil7th-6th century BCERomanRoman queen610
Telesilla6th-5th ventury BCEGreekPoet610
Theano Locrencis (Melica)*5th century BCEGreekPoet610
Theano of Crete*6th century BCEGreekPoet, philosopher610
Theano Thuria or Metapotino*3rd century BCEGreekPoet610
Thomas, Mrs. (Corinna)1675–1731EnglishPoet610
Thymele1st centuryGreekPoet, composer, mentioned by Martial610
Tishem, Catherined.1595FlemishLearned woman610
Tollet, Elizabeth1694–1754EnglishPoet610
Tymicha4th century BCEGreekPhilosopher610
Valeriad.315RomanRoman empress, protectoress of Christians610
Valliere, Mademoiselle de la1644–1710FrenchMistress to Louis XIV610
Veturia5th century BCERomanRoman matron610
Vigne, Anne de la1634–1684FrenchPoet610
Warwick, Countess of (Mary Rich)1625–1678IrishBenefactress610
Weston, Elizabeth Janed.1612English-CzechPoet610
Wharton, Anne1659–1685EnglishPoet, dramatist610
Winchelsea, Anne Kingsmill Countess of1661–1720EnglishPoet610
Zenobia3rd centurySyrianQueen, warrior610