Publishing and Political views

Mary had many strong opinions, which led to her publishing many works. Her first published piece, Thoughts on the Education of Daughters: With Reflections on Female Conduct, in the More Important Duties of Life was based on her experiences as a school teacher. Mary went to work for Joseph Johnson, publisher of the Analytical Review, first as a literary advisor and then as a writer. Mary was a supporeter of the French revolution, so when Edmund Burke published Reflections on the Revolution in France, criticizing the revolution, Mary furiously responded with Vindication on the Rights of Man. In 1792, Mary published her most famous work, Vindication on the Rights of Woman. This encouraged gender equality and challenged men to treat women as equals. It also challenged women to step up and not let their husbands abuse them.

When it came to government, Mary had no strong opinion on the form it took, but the benefits it provided were important to her. She felt that a monarchy led to inequality and compared the unjust rule of king over servant to the rule of husband over wife. She wanted education to be available for all people, with the thought that an educated woman had more self-respect.