"A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" is a 1792 work by 18th-century British proto-feminist Mary Wollstonecraft. Among the earliest works of feminist philosophy, this text constitutes a rebuttal to 18th century educational and political theorists who maintained that women should not be granted an education. Within it, Wollstonecraft posits the essential nature of women's education to the strength of a nation and argues that they are human beings who deserve similar rights to those afforded to men. "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" is a seminal work of early feminist literature that constitutes a must-read for those interested in the history of feminism. Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) was an English writer and advocate for women's rights. Regarded as the first feminist philosopher and still very much an influence in today's feminist circles. Read & Co. History is proudly republishing this classic work in a brand new edition, complete with a biography from 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica.