Catharine Macaulay

1731–1791

Nationality: English

Historical Period: The 18th Century

Macaulay was a radical republican historian who wrote a poplar 8 volume History of England which argued that English history was a failed struggle for virtue and liberty. She believed that virtue and liberty had been achieved by the American colonists and so was a supporter of the American Revolution. She later supported the French Revolution, writing an attack on Burke’s opposition.

Quotes from Catharine Macaulay:

• Catharine Macaulay supported the French Revolution because there were sound “public choice” reasons for not vesting supreme power in the hands of one’s social or economic “betters”

Titles from Catharine Macaulay:

• Author: Reflections on the Revolution in France