page_title: Elizabeth Montagu
section_title: Works
hierarchical_section_title: Elizabeth Montagu / Works
caption_attribution_description: English: Page 1 of an autograph manuscript draft, 1769, of: An essay on the writings and genius of Shakespear by Elizabeth Montagu (1720-1800). MS Hyde 7 (15), Houghton Library, Harvard University
context_page_description: Elizabeth Montagu was a British social reformer, patron of the arts, salonnière, literary critic and writer, who helped to organize and lead the Blue Stockings Society. Her parents were both from wealthy families with strong ties to the British peerage and learned life. She was sister to Sarah Scott, author of A Description of Millenium [sic] Hall and the Country Adjacent. She married Edward Montagu, a man with extensive landholdings, to become one of the richer women of her era. She devoted this fortune to fostering English and Scottish literature and to the relief of the poor.
context_section_description: Elizabeth Montagu was the author of two works published in her lifetime: three sections in George Lyttleton's Dialogues of the Dead (1760) and An Essay on the Writings and Genius of Shakespeare (1769). In addition, two collections of Montagu's letter were published posthumously.
  Dialogues of the Dead was a series of critiques about 18th-century society. In Dialogue 26, Hercules is engaged in a discussion of virtue. In Dialogue 27, a character, Mrs. Mopish, cannot go the Elysian Fields because she is endlessly distracted by worldly influences. In Dialogue 28, a bookseller explains to Plutarch the difficulties of publishing in modern society.
  An Essay on the Writings and Genius of Shakespeare defends Shakespeare against criticism by supporters of the French style of drama, particularly against the attacks of Voltaire. In Essay Montagu claims Shakespeare's success comes from his overall virtue and ability to engaging the audiences' emotion, not from strict adherence to the classical models of drama.
caption: First page of a draft manuscript of An Essay on the Writings and Genius of Shakespear, 1769
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