Anita Pacheco is a Lecturer in the English Department at the Open University. She has written extensively on Aphra Behn and early modern drama and is the author of Shakespeare's Coriolanus (2007) in the Writers and their Work series. She is the editor of Early Women Writers 1600-1720 (1998) and joint editor (with John Stachniewski) of John Bunyan: Grace Abounding with Other Spiritual Autobiographies (1998).

"Pacheco (humanities, Univ. of Hertfordshire) has produced a much-needed collection that puts into historical and literary perspective the study of early modern women and their writings. [...] In scholarship and critical depth, this volume compares favourably to the many recent publications on early modern women; what makes it particularly useful is its accessibility to students just becoming acquainted with the field." Choice "This is a worthwhile and well-produced volume ... [it] would make an excellent core text for students on courses on early modern women's writing or gender studies[.]" English Historical Review

• Notes on Contributors. Introduction: Anita Pacheco (Open University). Part I: Contexts:. 1. Women and Education: Kenneth Charlton (University of London). 2. Religion and the Construction of the Feminine: Diane Willen (Georgia State University). 3. Women, Property and Law: Tim Stretton (St Mary's University, Nova Scotia). 4. Women and Work: Sara H. Mendelson (McMaster University). 5. Women and Writing: Margaret J. M. Ezell (Texas A&M University). Part II: Readings:. 6. Isabella Whitney, A Sweet Nosegay: Patricia Brace (Laurentian University). 7. Mary Sidney, Countess of Pembroke, Psalmes: Debra K. Rienstra (Calvin College). 8. Aemilia Lanyer, Salve Deus Rex Judaeorum: Susanne Woods (Wheaton College). 9. Elizabeth Cary, The Tragedy of Mariam and History: Elaine Beilin (Framingham State College). 10. Mary Wroth, The Countess of Montgomery's Urania: Naomi J. Miller (University of Arizona). 11. Margaret Cavendish, A True Relation of My Birth, Breeding and Life: Gweno Williams (College of Ripon and York St John). 12. Anna Trapnel, Anna Trapnel's Report and Plea: Hilary Hinds (Lancaster University). 13. Katherine Philips, Poems: Elizabeth H. Hageman (University of New Hampshire). 14. Aphra Behn, The Rover, Part One: Anita Pacheco (Open University). 15. Mary Astell: Critic of the Marriage Contract/Social Contract Analogue: Patricia Springborg (University of Sydney). Part III: Genres:. 16. Autobiography: Sheila Ottway. 17. Defences of Women: Frances Teague (University of Georgia) and Rebecca DeHaas (University of Georgia). 18. Prophecy: Elaine Hobby (Loughborough University). 19. Women's Poetry 1550-1700: 'Not Unfit to be Read': Bronwen Price (Portsmouth University). 20. Prose Fiction: Paul Salzman (La Trobe University). 21. Drama: Sophie Tomlinson (University of Auckland). Part IV: Issues and Debates:. 22. The Work of Women in the Age of Electronic Reproduction: The Canon, Early Modern Women Writers and the Postmodern Reader: Melinda Alliker Rabb (Brown University). 23. Feminist Historiography: Margo Hendricks (University of California at Santa Cruz). Index