Catharine Macaulay (1731–1791)
Author of Mavericks of the Sky: The First Daring Pilots of the U.S. Air Mail
About the Author
Works by Catharine Macaulay
Mavericks of the Sky: The First Daring Pilots of the U.S. Air Mail (2006) — Author — 66 copies, 1 review
The history of England from the accession of James I. to that of the Brunswick line ... By Catherine Macaulay (2013) 11 copies, 1 review
Observations on the Reflections of the Right Hon. Edmund Burke, on the revolution in France, in a letter to the Right Hon. the Earl of Stanhope (1997) 8 copies
Observations on a pamphlet, entitled, Thoughts on the cause of the present discontents (2012) 3 copies
The History of England From the Accession of James I. to That of the Brunswick Line. ... By Catherine Macaulay. of 5; Volume 1 (2018) 1 copy
Associated Works
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman {Norton Critical Edition} (1975) — Contributor — 526 copies, 5 reviews
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Macaulay, Catharine
- Other names
- Sawbridge, Catharine (birth name)
Graham, Catharine - Birthdate
- 1731-04-02
- Date of death
- 1791-06-22
- Gender
- female
- Occupations
- historian
philosopher
pamphleteer
political activist - Short biography
- Catharine Macaulay, a major intellectual figure of the Enlightenment, was the first published female English historian and one of the best-known women of her day. Historians today consider her a pioneer for basing her work mainly on primary sources. She was a strong proponent of republicanism and independence for America and France, and of education for women. Mary Wollstonecraft, who was influenced by her Letters on Education (1790), called Catharine Macaulay a "woman of the greatest ability, undoubtedly, that this country has ever produced." She was born Catherine Sawbridge at Olantigh, near Wye in Kent and was educated at home, learning Latin and Greek from an early age. In 1760, she married Dr. George Macaulay, a Scottish physician. After his death in 1766, she travelled to France and the USA; during this visit she was the guest of President George Washington at Mount Vernon; he became a lifelong friend and correspondent. Catharine Macaulay also was a political activist, supporting John Wilkes, responding to the philosopher Thomas Hobbes, and taking exception to Edmund Burke’s work on the French Revolution. In 1788, she married William Graham, a man 26 years her junior.
- Nationality
- England
UK - Birthplace
- Wye, Kent, England, UK
- Places of residence
- London, England, UK
Bath, Somerset, England, UK
Binfield, Berkshire, England, UK - Place of death
- Binfield, Berkshire, England, UK
- Burial location
- All Saints Church, Binfield, England, UK
- Associated Place (for map)
- England, UK
Members
Reviews
“Mavericks of the Bureacracy” might be a fair alternate title for this book. While plenty of ink and/or pixels are devoted to pilots and planes, budget battles in Congress; political infighting between the Postmaster General and the U.S. Army for control of the air mail program; technological competition between planes, trains & automobiles; and postal officials butting heads with their own pilots over schedules versus safety form the back story of the government’s efforts to establish show more mail delivery by air. The events here predate Charles Lindbergh and Juan Trippe, so Rosenberg offers a unique perspective on the subject. I’m amazed he resisted the obvious comparison to the Pony Express—brave men relaying the mail across the county. show less
The history of England from the accession of James I. to that of the Brunswick line by Catharine Macaulay
“…As for the female politician, her notions about government have been sufficiently trumpeted by herself. It has been reported, but whether in print or no I cannot tell, that in a dispute with this political lady, Johnson once said—‘ You are to recollect, madam, that there is a monarchy in heaven.’ Mrs. Macaulay : ‘ If I thought so, sir, I should never wish to go there.’ True it is, that our philosopher's exhibition of this lady's principles and conduct was a rich classical show more treat, of which I much regret that I can present to my readers nothing more than the concluding circumstance, — with which it now appears to be high time that this narrative also should be brought to a conclusion. After much of the Doctor's sportiveness and play of wit, at the lady's expense, it must be owned, Beauclerk called out—‘ Come, come, Doctor, take care what you say, and don't be too saucy about Mrs. Macaulay; for if you do, I shall find means of setting her upon you as soon as we return, and she will comb your wig for you pretty handsomely.’ Johnson. ‘ Well, sir, and pray by what means do you propose to achieve this notable exploit of yours, Mr. Beauclerk?’ Beauclerk. ‘ Oh ! I’ll soon tell you that, Doctor. You can't deny that it's now a full fortnight since Mrs. M. made you a present of her history; and to my certain knowledge it still remains in your study without one of the leaves being cut open ; which is such a contempt of the lady's genius and abilities, that, should I acquaint her with it, as perhaps I shall, I wouldn't be in your place, Doctor, for a good deal, I assure you.’ Johnson, sub-laughing all the while at this threat—‘ Why, in the first place, sir, I am so far from denying your allegations, that I freely confess, before this company, that they are perfectly true and correct. The work of Mrs. Macaulay is indeed in the situation that you have described. But in the second place, sir, I may safely, I believe, defy all your oratorical powers so far to work upon that lady's vanity as to induce her to believe it possible, that I could hare suffered her writings to lie by me so long, without once gratifying myself by a perusal of them. However, pray try, Mr. Beauclerk : I beg you will try, sir, as soon as you think proper; and then we shall see whether you will soonest bring the lady about my ears, or about your own, sir.’” --R.N. Turner, “Account of Dr. Johnson’s Visit to Cambridge” in New Monthly Magazine (Vol. X, No. 59, December, 1818) show less
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 17
- Also by
- 4
- Members
- 112
- Popularity
- #174,305
- Rating
- 3.7
- Reviews
- 2
- ISBNs
- 29
- Favorited
- 2