William Godwin
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William Godwin | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of William Godwin by Henry William Pickersgill | |
| Born | 3 March 1756 Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, England |
| Died | 7 April 1836 (aged 80) London, England |
| Occupation | Journalist, political philosopher, novelist |
| Notable works | An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice, Things as They Are; or, The Adventures of Caleb Williams |
| Spouse | Mary Wollstonecraft (m. 1797; d. 1797) |
| Children | Mary Shelley, Fanny Imlay |
William Godwin (3 March 1756 – 7 April 1836) was an English journalist, political philosopher, and novelist. He is considered one of the first exponents of utilitarianism and the first modern proponent of anarchism. Godwin is most famous for his works An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice (1793) and Things as They Are; or, The Adventures of Caleb Williams (1794). He was married to the prominent feminist writer Mary Wollstonecraft, and they were the parents of Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein.
Early Life[edit | edit source]
William Godwin was born in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, on 3 March 1756. He was the seventh of thirteen children of John and Anne Godwin. His father was a Nonconformist minister, and Godwin was raised in a strict religious environment. He attended several dissenting academies, including Hoxton Academy, where he was influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment.
Career[edit | edit source]
Godwin began his career as a minister but soon turned to writing. He became a prolific journalist, contributing to various periodicals. His early works were heavily influenced by the French Revolution and the radical ideas it inspired.
Political Philosophy[edit | edit source]
Godwin's most significant contribution to political philosophy is his work An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice. In this book, he argued against the institution of government and proposed a society based on rationality and justice. He believed that human beings are capable of achieving moral perfection and that social institutions, including government, are inherently corrupt and oppressive.
Novels[edit | edit source]
Godwin also wrote several novels, the most famous of which is Things as They Are; or, The Adventures of Caleb Williams. This novel is a critique of the social and political injustices of his time and explores themes of power, corruption, and the individual's struggle against tyranny.
Personal Life[edit | edit source]
In 1797, Godwin married Mary Wollstonecraft, a pioneering advocate for women's rights. Their marriage was brief, as Wollstonecraft died shortly after giving birth to their daughter, Mary Shelley. Godwin was left to raise their daughter and Wollstonecraft's daughter from a previous relationship, Fanny Imlay.
Legacy[edit | edit source]
William Godwin's ideas have had a lasting impact on political thought, particularly in the areas of anarchism and utilitarianism. His works continue to be studied and debated by scholars and political theorists.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
- Mary Wollstonecraft
- Mary Shelley
- An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice
- Things as They Are; or, The Adventures of Caleb Williams
- Anarchism
- Utilitarianism
- French Revolution
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