num_pages: 114
description: Women played a major part in the French Revolution of 1789 but have received very little recognition for their contributions. The many claims and protests put forth by women at that time were suppressed women's clubs were banned and Olympe de Gouges a leading contemporary advocate for women's rights was silenced and has since remained an obscure figure. This book is the first biography of this astonishing woman. After boldly publishing her Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen in 1791 de Gouges was sent to the guillotine for having had the courage to mount the rostrum on behalf of women. Unlike many who have captured posterity's attention de Gouges had great sympathy but no indulgence for her sex. Instead of considering her female colleagues as eternal victims she understood that they were to some extent responsible for their misfortunes and that if they united and devoted themselves to changing their image they could become great. De Gouges called for the advent of a new woman one who would relinquish the nocturnal administering of men. Olympe de Gouges rightly deserves the title of pioneer prophet and heroine. This long-overdue biography pays her due homage. It will be of interest to students of the French Revolution women's studies and biography.
language: English
title: Women's Rights and the French Revolution: A Biography of Olympe de Gouges
publisher: Routledge