Bluestocking

The Bluestocking society was an informal women's social and educational movement that came into being in England in the mid-eighteenth century in imitation of a similar - though more formal - movement in France.

Related Topics:
Social - Educational - England

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The most striking difference between the two movements was the English emphasis on education and mutual co-operation as opposed to the French emphasis on social "networking" and individual social progress.

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Ada Byron Lovelace was a bluestocking in her youth.

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There was also a Japanese women's magazine following the Meiji Restoration that referred to itself as Bluestockings (Seitô). The magazine initially focused on women's literature, but turned into a magazine devoted to achieving women's liberation. The women doing the writing in the magazine were called New Women.

Related Topics:
Japanese - Magazine - Meiji Restoration - New Women

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The term blue-stocking is also used to refer to any female academic. The name is derived from a learned coterie, formed in the 15th century, in Venice, who wore blue stockings as a badge.

Related Topics:
Academic - 15th century - Venice

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