The Duties of Women

Frances Power Cobbe (1822–1904) was an Irish writer, social reformer and activist best known for her contributions to Victorian feminism. After the death of her father in 1857, Cobbe travelled extensively across Europe before becoming a leader-writer for the London newspaper The Echo in 1868. She continued to publish on the topics of feminism, social problems and theology for the rest of her life. This volume, first published in 1881, contains a series of essays discussing the ethical practice of feminism. Written during a transitional period for the movement, when calls for universal suffrage were becoming the defining feature of feminism, Cobbe advocates the need for women to practice a form of emancipation which does not conform to stereotypical views, in order to avoid a public backlash against universal suffrage. Emphasising the political importance of private behaviours, this volume demonstrates feminist responses to changes in nineteenth century feminism.