Episode 25: 18th Century letter writing and the hidden history of women

In 1740, Samuel Richardson published Pamela, a novel purporting to be the letters of a young woman. In 1748, he followed this up with Clarissa, written on the same principle.Richardson’s subjects were fake. But the activity he showed them engaging in was very real. The creation of reliable and regular postal services after the English Civil War led to an explosion in letter writing, especially for women. Through letters they could build and maintain relationships, share opinions on society or politics and reflect on life. Just as we do through messaging platforms or social media today. Indeed the intimacy and information contained within those letters could even provoke questions on how those letters  should be handled after death.Collections of those letters which do survive provide historians with a remarkable insight into the lives of people - and particularly women - within this period.GuestDr Natasha Simonova is a writer and academic specialising in English literature in the long 18th century. She is currently working on a book called The Grey Ladies: The Secret Lives of 18th-Century Women.Cats presentCecilia, Penny (Guest kitty)Useful linksNatasha’s website: https://natashasimonova.comPublishing 18th Century Women’s Manuscript letters (conference talk): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BM0rCa4JUo&t=15895sPamela by Samuel Richardson: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/6124

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