Biddle, Hester (1629–1696)

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Biddle, Hester (1629–1696)

British religious writer. Name variations: Esther Biddle. Born 1629 in England; grew up in Oxford; died 1696; m. Thomas Biddle; children: 3.

Brought up as Anglican in Oxford but became a Quaker (1640s); published such tracts as Wo to thee city of Oxford (1655) and The Trumpet of the Lord God (1662), which denounced sins of the flesh and called for social justice and reform; as public speaker, was arrested several times for preaching in the streets.