Mary Wollstonecraft: Philosophical Mother of Coeducation

Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) is revered in feminist circles for her major work A Vindication of the Rights of Women. Within that work and in her other writings is a theory of coeducation that benefits both male and female students. This aspect of her writing is often overlooked. Laird (education, University of Oklahoma) rectifies that in her examination of Wollstonecraft's educational proposals as found in her published books and private letters. Laird puts this in the context of Wollstonecraft's social and historical milieu and autodidactic education. Laird does not ignore the gaps in these theories and putting them in the world of strongly patriarchal monarchies makes both the theories and the gaps understandable. This is a valuable addition to the study of Wollstonecraft as well as to the foundations of coeducation. Annotation c2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Susan Laird is Associate Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, University of Oklahoma, USA. She is also Immediate Past President of the Philosophy of Education Society; Faculty Adviser of the?Oklahoma Educational Studies Association; and Co-Founder for EDUCATING WOMEN: A Community of Learning & Inquiry into Women, Gender, and Education.