Gender

Michael Scott looks at how a time of crisis in the fourth century BC proved a dynamic moment of change for women in the Greek world.

Sex, scandals and celebrity were all part of a blame and shame culture that existed in the 18th century, one that often fed off the misfortune of women at the hands of men. Prostitutes, courtesans and ladies with injured reputations took up the pen in retaliation.

Eamon Duffy explores the relationship between Mary I and her Archbishop of Canterbury Cardinal Pole. Pole’s advice to his queen about attitudes to Henry VIII and in dealing with heretics show he played a far more energetic role in the restoration of the ‘true religion’ than he has been given credit for.

Patricia Fara recounts the moving story of a gifted contemporary of Isaac Newton who came to symbolise the frustrations of generations of female scientists denied the chance to fulfil their talents.

Frances Borzello seeks to explain the rise of women’s clubs in London before the First World War – and their equally swift demise.

On November 9th, 1908, Aldeburgh unanimously elected as their leader Mrs Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, who became Britain’s first female mayor.

Mari Takayanagi, archivist at the Parliamentary Archives, explains the significance of the Life Peerages Act,1958.

Jim Downs says that the Democrats should blame history for the dilemma they face in having to choose between Clinton and Obama for this year’s presidential nomination.

Mary, Queen of Scots married Francis, Dauphin of France on 24 April 1558. Tragedy wasn’t far behind.

Jeremy Goldberg examines three stories of disputed marriages and discusses definitions of consent and how they impinged on a medieval woman’s right to marry when and whom she chose.