Background
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu was born in May 1689, the daughter of Evelyn Pierrepont, later duke of Kingstonupon-Hull.
(The critical and biographical introduction tells of Lady ...)
The critical and biographical introduction tells of Lady Wortley Montagu's travels through Europe to Turkey in 1716, where her husband had been appointed Ambassador. Her lively letters offer insights into the paradoxical freedoms conferred on Muslim women by the veil, the value of experimental work by Turkish doctors on inoculation, and the beauty of Arab poetry and culture. The ability to study another culture according to its own values and to see herself through the eyes of others makes Lady Mary one of the most fascinating of early travel writers and commentators
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Lady Mary Wortley Montagu was born in May 1689, the daughter of Evelyn Pierrepont, later duke of Kingstonupon-Hull.
Through her father's library and private schoolmasters she secured considerable learning and read widely in the fields of romance and drama.
Lady Mary has a place in literary history for two principal reasons: her quarrel with Pope and her secure position among the gifted letter-writers of the 18th century. Some believe that her mocking laughter at Pope's declaration of love for her breached their earlier friendship. For whatever reason, mutual admiration turned to bitter hatred and a satirical battle raged between the two. Her letters reveal a sprightly style and a solid vein of critical observation on the world of books and men.
(The critical and biographical introduction tells of Lady ...)
In 1712 she eloped and married Edward Wortley Montagu. When he became a member of Parliament, Lady Mary's sprightly wit and beauty won her much admiration at court. She accompanied her husband, then an ambassor, to Constantinople in 1717-1718. She left husband and home for Italy in 1740, remaining there until his death in 1761. She returned in 1762 to live with her daughter, Mary, countess of Bute, whose husband was prime minister.
