Memoirs of British Ladies, Who Have Been Celebrated for Their Writings or Skill in the Learned Languages, Arts and Sciences . . by BALLARD, GEORGE - 1775

London: Printed for T. Evans, 1775, 1775. Second edition; the first was published in 1752 under the title Memoirs of Several Ladies of Great Britain . .. ESTC T94269; NCBEL II, 1806. Edges a little rubbed; some light foxing; very good copy.. 8vo, contemporary smooth calf rebacked to style, red leather spine label, gilt rules and lettering. A slightly revised edition of George Ballard's collection of 50 brief biographies of remarkable English women, from poets to heads of state, including Juliana Berners, Anne Finch, Mary Astell, Constania Grierson, Katherine Philips and Katherine Killigrew, followed by an index of every person mentioned in the text. Ballard (1705-1755) had antiquarian interests from an early age. The list of 400 subscribers (not called for here) to the first edition included 143 women. See the ODNB. Contemporary armorial bookplate of John Cator on the front paste-down.