Olympe De Gouges
Olympe De Gouges was a French playwright, political activist, and feminist who lived during the 18th century. She was born on May 7, 1748, in Montauban, France, and was executed on November 3, 1793, during the French Revolution.
Early Life
De Gouges was born Marie Gouze to a butcher and his wife. She received little formal education but was an avid reader and self-taught writer. At the age of 16, she married a man named Louis Aubry, but the marriage was unhappy and ended in divorce.
Career
De Gouges began her writing career as a playwright, producing several successful plays. She then turned her attention to political writing, becoming a vocal advocate for women's rights and social equality. She wrote several pamphlets and treatises on these topics, including "Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen" (1791), which was a response to the French Constitution of 1791.
Legacy
De Gouges was an important figure in the French Revolution, advocating for social justice and equality for all. She was a pioneer in the fight for women's rights and is remembered as one of the first feminist thinkers. Her work has inspired generations of feminists and social activists, and her legacy continues to be felt today.