Anna Lætitia Barbauld was an English poet and essayist. She also wrote literary criticism and authored children’s books. She was published in multiple genres and had a successful career—something rare for a woman during this time period.
‘The Rights of Women’ by Anna Lætitia Barbauld is a proto-feminist poem that intones the power that a woman might have if she resists social law and rises up to take control over the world.
Yes, injured Woman! rise, assert thy right!
Woman! too long degraded, scorned, opprest;
O born to rule in partial Law's despite,
Resume thy native empire o'er the breast!
Anna Lætitia Barbauld’s ‘To a Little Invisible Being Who is Expected Soon to Become Visible’ is a heart-warming poem about a child who is about to be born.
Germ of new life, whose powers expanding slow
For many a moon their full perfection wait,—
Haste, precious pledge of happy love, to go
Auspicious borne through life's mysterious gate.
‘To the Poor’ by Barbauld advocates for compassion and equity, promising justice in the afterlife while critiquing societal neglect.
Child of distress, who meet’st the bitter scorn
Of fellow-men to happier prospects born,
Doomed Art and Nature’s various stores to see
Flow in full cups of joy—and not for thee;
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