Primary Sources
Astell, Mary. “A Serious Proposal to the Ladies, For the Advancement of their true and greatest Interest. By a Lover of Her Sex.” Printed for Richard Wilkin at the King’s-Head in St. Paul’s Church-Yard, 1697.
Astell, Mary. “A Serious Proposal to the Ladies, Part II. Wherein a Method is offer’d for the Improvement of their Minds.” Printed for Richard Wilkin at the King’s-Head in St. Paul’s Church-Yard, 1697.
Astell, Mary. “A Fair Way with the Dissenters and their Patrons.” Printed by E. Hills, for Richard Wilkin, at the King’s Head in St. Paul’s Church-Yard, 1704.
Astell, Mary. “An Impartial Enquiry Into The Causes Of Rebellion and Civil War In This Kingdom.” Printed by E. P. for Richard Wilkin, London, 1704.
Astell, Mary [as “Mr. Wotton”]. “Bart’lemy Fair: or, an Enquiry after Wit; in which due Respect is had to a Letter Concerning Enthusiasm, to my Lord.” Printed for Richard Wilkin, at the King’s Head in St. Paul’s Church-Yard, 1709.
Astell, Mary & Norris, John. “Letters concerning the love of God.” Printed for Samuel Manship and Richard Wilkin, London, 1695.
Astell, Mary. “Moderation truly Stated: Or, A Review of A Late Pamphlet Entitul’d Moderation a Vertue.” Printed by J.L. for Richard Wilkin, at the King’s Head in St. Paul’s Church-yard, 1704.
Astell, Mary. “Some Reflections upon Marriage, Occasion’d by the Duke & Duchess of Mazarine’s Case; which is also consider’d.” Printed for John Nutt, near Stationers-Hall, 1700.
Astell, Mary. “The Christian Religion, as Profess’d by a Daughter Of The Church of England.” Printed by S. H. for Richard Wilkin, London, 1705.
Secondary Sources
Sowaal, Alice. “Mary Astell”, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2023 Edition), edited by Edward N. Zalta & Uri Nodelman. https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2015/entries/astell/.
This entry includes a description of Mary Astell’s life and influences, as well as her major works, and breaking down her main theories. Her main focuses are broken down into Metaphysics and Epistemiology, focusing primarily on the concept of God as well as the mind. The entry ends with listing a plethora of secondary sources concerning Mary Astell, examining her ideas of metaphysics in relation to social and political philosophy more closely.
Broad, Jacqueline. “Mary Astell 1666-1731”. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, edited by James Fieser and Bradley Dowden. https://iep.utm.edu/mary-astell/.
This article outlines the main focuses of Mary Astell’s work, focusing more on her feminist thought specifically. It begins with an in depth account of Astell’s early life: the influence of her Uncle upon her interest in philosophy, the death of her father, and the ultimate choice of a writing career. Astell’s areas of focus are broken down loosely as Metaphysics, Philosophy of Religion, and Feminist thought, focusing on both education and marriage. It explains how Astell bases her argument that women should pursue education in Cartesian thought, and warns women to be wary of entering into marriage, as the institution has greatly degenerated from its original state.
“Mary Astell.” 2025. History of Women Philosophers and Scientists, Paderborn University. https://historyofwomenphilosophers.org/project/directory-of-women-philosophers/astell-mary-1666-1731/.
This source outlines more specifically Mary Astell’s feminist thought and its foundation in Cartesian and epistemological principles. It outlines some of her most popular works, and how the inclusion of feminist thought in virtually all of them makes her one of the earliest feminist philosophers of the modern age. Astell’s feminist thought revolves around the basis of mind/soul and body being separate substances, providing them with strong governing and intellectual ability. The end of the entry includes a list of Astell’s primary sources, as well as many additional secondary sources focusing on her feminist angles.