(.PDF) Dido's Daughters: Literacy, Gender, and Empire in Early Modern England and France
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"Dido's daughters" is a term that refers to the women of early modern England and France who were literate and played a significant role in cultural and intellectual life. Dido was the queen of Carthage in Roman mythology and is remembered for her intelligence, resourcefulness, and cultural achievements. By referencing Dido, the term "Dido's daughters" suggests that the women being referred to were similarly accomplished and influential.
In early modern England and France, literacy was an important factor in shaping social and cultural roles, and the ability to read and write was often seen as a mark of status and education. Women who were literate were often able to participate in cultural and intellectual life in a way that was not available to those who were not literate.
The relationship between literacy, gender, and empire in early modern England and France was complex and multifaceted. The expansion of European empires during this period had significant implications for the cultural and intellectual exchange between different regions and societies, and literacy played a role in facilitating this exchange. At the same time, the gendered nature of literacy and the ways in which it was distributed and valued shaped the experiences and opportunities of women in these societies.