Cockburn, Catharine Trotter (1679–1749)

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Cockburn, Catharine Trotter (1679–1749)

English playwright, essayist, poet, and philosopher. Name variations: Catherine Trotter Cockburn. Born Aug 16, 1679; died May 11, 1749, in Long Horsley, Northumberland; dau. of Scottish parents, her father a naval commander; mostly self-taught at home; converted from Church of England to Roman Catholic Church, then back to Church of England in 1707; m. Patrick Cockburn (cleric), 1708.

At 17, to supplement the family income, wrote 1st play, Agnes de Castro (based on Inez de Castro), which was produced at Drury Lane in London; wrote 4 more plays, becoming a popular playwright before age 20; published fictionalized autobiography, Olinda's Adventures (1718); an admirer of John Locke's controversial Essay Concerning Human Understanding, anonymously published her A Defense of the Essay of Human Understanding (1702); also published A Discourse Concerning a Guide in Controversies, to explain why she felt compelled philosophically to return to the Church of England (1707); became well known for her artistic and analytic abilities.

See also Women in World History.