H.14.24. The philosophical and physical opinions (1655)

This item was written, owned and signed by Margaret Cavendish and is the only copy in Cambridge still in its original binding. It contains a beautifully engraved frontispiece, depicting the author seated at her writing desk, while cherubs hold a laurel wreath and olive branches over her head to indicate her literary achievements. Self-educated, the author pleads her case that she is as learned as most scholars, and in spite of imputation to the contrary, wrote her books herself. By some she was admired, by others considered ridiculous, earning her the epithet “Mad Madge” in some circles. She published a total of 21 volumes in her lifetime on subjects from philosophy and the sciences, as in this case, to prose romances, poetry and essays. Publishing under her own name in the 17th century she was bound to come up against prejudice, but was determined to be heard and to be a woman of renown.