ABSTRACT

Women who were patrons, philanthropists, and benefactors were typically well educated and committed to making social and cultural contributions beyond their own lives. Most were women of wealth, who decided to use their resources to support those who shared their interests or values: many women, for example, who were passionate about literature and learning acted as patrons to writers, theatrical companies, or musicians. Literary patronage is especially notable in this period and evidenced in the many extant letters of gratitude or authors’ dedications in their published works. Those with a particularly strong religious belief wanted to encourage or support others to share their faith. Many women who were philanthropists were widows who used their inherited wealth for various social causes by establishing or supporting almshouses, chantries, schools, libraries, or hospitals – endowments made either in their own names or in accordance with their husbands’ wills. Some women, particularly those with no children of their own, paid for the education of other children, while others memorialized the death of their own children by establishing scholarships. While many of the women in this category are known for the philanthropy they accomplished during their lifetime, others are known for their lasting legacies.