Makin, Bathsua (1608–1675)

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Makin, Bathsua (1608–1675)

English educator. Name variations: Basua. Born Bathsua Pell, c. 1608, in Southwick, Sussex, England; died c. 1675; dau. of Henry Reginald (Sussex rector); sister of John Pell (1610–1685), eminent mathematician; m. Richard Mackin or Macking.

Served as a tutor for the daughters of Charles I, including Elizabeth Stuart; after Elizabeth's death (1650), returned to the private sector as governess until she established a school of her own in London; met and befriended Anna Maria van Schurmann (1646), and the two kept up a lively correspondence; blending her ideas and that of Schurmann's, published an anonymous polemic, An Essay to Revive the Antient Education of Gentlewomen in Religion, Manners, Arts and Tongues (1673).

See also Women in World History.