William Godwin

William_Godwin_by_Henry_William_Pickersgill

WilliamGodwin

Mary_Wollstonecraft_by_John_Opie_(c._1797)

English journalist, political philosopher and novelist

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Portrait of William Godwin by Henry William Pickersgill

Native name
Born	1756-03-03 Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, England
Died	7 April 1836(1836-04-07) (aged 80) London, England
Resting place
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Occupation	Journalist, political philosopher, novelist
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William Godwin (3 March 1756 – 7 April 1836) was an English journalist, political philosopher, and novelist. He is considered one of the first exponents of utilitarianism and the first modern proponent of anarchism. Godwin is most famous for his works An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice (1793) and Things as They Are; or, The Adventures of Caleb Williams (1794). He was married to the prominent feminist writer Mary Wollstonecraft, and they were the parents of Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein.

Early Life

William Godwin was born in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, on 3 March 1756. He was the seventh of thirteen children of John and Anne Godwin. His father was a Nonconformist minister, and Godwin was raised in a strict religious environment. He attended several dissenting academies, including Hoxton Academy, where he was influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment.

Career

Godwin began his career as a minister but soon turned to writing. He became a prolific journalist, contributing to various periodicals. His early works were heavily influenced by the French Revolution and the radical ideas it inspired.

Political Philosophy

Godwin's most significant contribution to political philosophy is his work An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice. In this book, he argued against the institution of government and proposed a society based on rationality and justice. He believed that human beings are capable of achieving moral perfection and that social institutions, including government, are inherently corrupt and oppressive.

Novels

Godwin also wrote several novels, the most famous of which is Things as They Are; or, The Adventures of Caleb Williams. This novel is a critique of the social and political injustices of his time and explores themes of power, corruption, and the individual's struggle against tyranny.

Personal Life

In 1797, Godwin married Mary Wollstonecraft, a pioneering advocate for women's rights. Their marriage was brief, as Wollstonecraft died shortly after giving birth to their daughter, Mary Shelley. Godwin was left to raise their daughter and Wollstonecraft's daughter from a previous relationship, Fanny Imlay.

Legacy

William Godwin's ideas have had a lasting impact on political thought, particularly in the areas of anarchism and utilitarianism. His works continue to be studied and debated by scholars and political theorists.

Related Pages

• Mary Wollstonecraft
• Mary Shelley
• An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice
• Things as They Are; or, The Adventures of Caleb Williams
• Anarchism
• Utilitarianism
• French Revolution

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