Women Travel literature writers in eighteenth century?

While women were actively writing and publishing in the 18th century, travel literature was largely dominated by men. The very act of traveling, especially to foreign lands, was considered unladylike and potentially scandalous for women.

However, a few brave and pioneering women did defy societal norms and documented their journeys. Here are some prominent examples:

* Mary Wortley Montagu (1689-1762): Perhaps the most famous female travel writer of the 18th century, Montagu's letters from her travels through Turkey, written between 1716 and 1718, provide insightful observations on Turkish culture and customs. She was a sharp observer and offered a unique perspective on the world, challenging contemporary European views.

* Lady Mary Coke (1727-1797): Coke's extensive travels across Europe are recorded in her voluminous journals. While her writings were not published during her lifetime, they provide valuable insights into aristocratic life and travel during the 18th century.

* Fanny Burney (1752-1840): Known primarily for her novels, Burney also documented her travels through France and Italy in her letters. She offered witty and insightful observations on the people, customs, and culture she encountered.

* Anne Lister (1791-1840): Although Lister's journals were not published until the 21st century, they offer a fascinating glimpse into the life of a woman traveling independently in the early 19th century. She journeyed extensively across England and Europe, documenting her experiences with a sharp eye for detail and a penchant for exploration.

* Catherine Trotter Cockburn (1679-1749): While not primarily a travel writer, Cockburn's "Letters of a Lady" (1710), written while traveling to and from the Netherlands, provides valuable insights into the life of an independent woman in the early 18th century.

It's important to note that these women were not just traveling for leisure. Many had political or diplomatic connections that facilitated their journeys. Their travels often were accompanied by their husbands or close male relatives, which provided them with protection and social acceptability.

Despite these limitations, these women's writings offer valuable insights into the world of 18th-century travel and offer a unique perspective on the societies they encountered. They also challenged the societal expectations of their time, paving the way for future generations of women travelers and writers.