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Freedom and Patriarchy — The Unitarian Background

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The Early Feminists

Part of the book series: Studies in Gender History ((SGH))

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Abstract

One of the most vital threads binding together the complex radical ideology of the early feminists was a close acquaintance with Unitarianism. The immense influence which this denomination exerted upon contemporary culture has rarely been fully acknowledged by historians. Yet, its shadow loomed large over many critical aspects of Victorian intellectual life. While a great number of early feminists were the direct product of the Unitarian heritage, many others engaged directly, if informally, with this rich source of reforming impetus. The Unitarian tradition is thus a crucial, yet underexplored intellectual and cultural context in which to understand the emergence of the women’s rights movement.

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  1. Department of History, University of Warwick, England

    Kathryn Gleadle

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© 1995 Kathryn Gleadle

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Gleadle, K. (1995). Freedom and Patriarchy — The Unitarian Background. In: The Early Feminists. Studies in Gender History. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-26582-4_2

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