Elizabeth Montagu
Elizabeth Montagu (1718–1800). She was an author and literary hostess. Born at York in October 1718. She was the first daughter and fifth child of Matthew Robinson of Edgeley and Elizabeth (c.1697–1746). Her sister Sarah lived from 1720–1795. Three more living sons completed the Robinson family. The families of both parents were wealthy and had good contacts to other noble families.
Early life and education
The Robinsons were not particularly involved or attentive parents. The mother was occupied with her numerous pregnancies and the births. The father Matthew Robinson preferred London and urban pleasures to those of the country. Because her family was connected to Cambridge University, she received a classical education which consisted of ancient and English literature as well as history lessons. Typical for the time, Elizabeth learned Latin, French and Italian. The financial situation of the family improved significantly, when Mrs Robinson inherited the Morris estate from her brother. It was situated in the countryside what Elizabeth did not like, since she liked the amusements of the city like her father.
Marriage
Like most females of her class Elizabeth Robinson was expected to marry, although she did not have a high opinion of men or marriages. Writing to the duchess of Portland in 1738 she admitted that she ‘never saw one man that I loved’, and she doubted to find a suitable partner. "He should have a great deal of sense and prudence to direct and instruct me, much wit to divert me, beauty to please me, good humour to indulge me in the right, and reprove me gently when I am in the wrong: money enough to afford me more than I can want, and as much as I can wish; and constancy to like me as long as other people do." (Johnson, 40–41) This view did not change during her life. However, she married Edward Montagu (1692–1775) in 1742. The marriage was, as one might expect, not too happy.
The bluestockings
Elizabeth Montagu's parties began as literary breakfasts. Guests were encouraged to make witty conversation on literary and philosophical topics. Prominent people found their way into the Montagu's home: Samuel Johnson, Sir Joshua Reynolds, who painted her portrait, Edmund Burke, David Garrick, and Horace Walpole. Later, she organized these parties together with Elizabeth Vesey. after a while, it became normal to wear bluestockings to these assemblies and thus these meetings were called "the bluestockings." Interestingly, both sexes took part in them. In the end, this circle can be regarded as a centre of intellectual thinking.
She was also interested in politics and worked alongside with her husband for some time. After suffering from bad health, Edward died. Montagu was now in the most advantageous position possible for a woman in the eighteenth century. She was a wealthy widow; no person could legally exercise any control over her and there were no financial limitations which could stand in her way. She continued to manage her business affairs with considerable success.
In 1760 she contributed to Lyttleton's Dialogues of the Dead, and in 1769 she published an Essay on the Writings and Genius of Shakespear.
In 1781 she built Montagu House, now 22 Portman Square, London.
She died on August, 25 1800.
== Johnson, R.B. (ed.). Bluestocking letters, 1926.