Female Biography; by HAYS, Mary - 1803: or, Memoirs of Illustrious and Celebrated Women, of all ages and countries. Alphabetically arranged.

London: printed for Richard Phillips, 1803. First edition of this scarce early work of feminist biography by Mary Hays (1759-1843), the London-based novelist, radical and friend of Mary Wollstonecraft. Hays was given a copy of Wollstonecraft's Vindication of the Rights of Woman in 1792 and was extremely moved; she contacted the publishers, and arranged a meeting with Wollstonecraft, becoming involved in London's radical Jacobin circles. Hays received advice from Godwin on writing her novels, and she tended Wollstonecraft on her deathbed. In the present work Hays created a significant biographical dictionary of 294 impressive women through the ages. Her novels include Memoirs of Emma Courtney (1796), The Victim of Prejudice (1799), Harry Clinton (1804), and Family Annals (1817). 6 volumes, octavo (184 x 113 mm). Contemporary brown calf, flat spines ruled into compartments in gilt, red morocco labels, bookmarks. Armorial bookplate of George Kinnaird (1754-1805), 7th Lord Kinnaird. Slight scuffing to spines, a couple of points of loss to joint ends, occasional dark marks and points of abrasion to covers, extremities lightly rubbed, occasional bumping to tips, wear and creasing to vol. 1 spine, bump to label of vol. 1 affecting a couple of letters, loss to vols. 1, 4 and 5 spine heads. An excellent set.