Bathsua Makin, c. 1640-48, engraving by William Marshall © National Portrait Gallery

Bathsua Makin: the most learned woman in England

Scholar, educator and linguist who at the age of 16 knew 6 languages. 

wrote Makin, tutor to the daughter of King Charles I.

Makin's writings strongly argue the benefits of women's education on domestic and societal levels.

An essay to revive the Ancien Education ...

An Essay To Revive the Ancient Education of Gentlewomen, in Religion, Manners, Arts & Tongues.  With An Answer to the Objections against this Way of Education. 1673

To all Ingenious and Vertuous Ladies ...
Custom, when it is inveterate, hath a mighty influence: it hath the force of Nature it self. The Barbarous custom to breed Women low, is grown general amongst us, and hath prevailed so far, that it is verily believed (especially amongst a sort of debauched Sots) that Women are not endued with such Reason, as Men; nor capable of improvement by Education, as they are. It is lookt upon as a monstrous thing; to pretend the contrary. A Learned Woman is thought to be a Comet, that bodes Mischief, when ever it appears. To offer to the World the liberal Education of Women is to deface the Image of God in Man, it will make Women so high, and men so low, like Fire in the House-top, it will set the whole world in a Flame...

British Library

Bathsua Makin's school at Tottenham High Cross

IF any enquire where this Education may be performed, such may be informed, That a School is lately erected for Gentlewomen at Tottenham-high-Cross, within four miles of London, in the Road to Ware, where Mris. Makin is Governess, who was sometimes Tutoress to the Princess Elisabeth, Daughter to King Charles the First; Where, by the blessing of God, Gentlewomen may be instructed in the Principles of Religion; and in all manner of Sober and Vertuous Education: More particularly, in all things ordinarily taught in other Schools:

Works of all Sorts - Half the time to be spent in these Things.
    Dancing,
    Musick,
    Singing,
    Writing,
    Keeping Accompts
The other half to be imployed in gaining the Latin and French Tongues; and those that please, may learn Greek and Hebrew, the Italian and Spanish: In all which this Gentlewoman hath a competent knowledge.

Gentlewomen of eight or nine years old, that can read well, may be instructed in a year or two (according to their Parts) in the Latin and French Tongues; by such plain and short Rules, accomodated to the Grammar of the English Tongue, that they may easily keep what they have learned, and recover what they shall lose; as those that learn Musick by Notes.
Those that will bestow longer time, may learn the other Languages, afore-mentioned, as they please.

Repositories also for Visibles shall be prepared; by which, from beholding the things, Gentlewomen may learn the Names, Natures, Values, and Use of Herbs, Shrubs, Trees, Mineral-Juices, Metals and Stones.
Those that please, may learn Limning, Preserving, Pastry and Cookery.
Those that will allow longer time, may attain some general Knowledge in Astronomy, Geography, but especially in Arithmetick and History.
Those that think one Language enough for a Woman, may forbear the Languages, and learn onely Experimental Philosophy; and more, or fewer of the other things aforementioned, as they incline.

The Rate certain shal be 20 l. per annum: But if a competent improvement be made in the Tongues, and the other things aforementioned, as shall be agreed upon, then something more will be expected. But the Parents shall judge what shall be deserved by the Undertaker.

Those that think these Things Improbable or Impracticable, may have further account every Tuesday at Mr. Masons Coffe-House in Cornhil, near the Royal Exchange; and Thursdayes at the Bolt and Tun in Fleetstreet, between the hours of three and six in the Afternoons, by some Person whom Mris. Makin shall appoint.

Quotes:
A learned woman is thought to be a comet that bodes mischief whenever it appears.

Women kept ignorant on purpose to make them slaves.

Had God intended Women only as a finer sort of Cattle, he would have not made them reasonable,

To ask too much is the way to be denied all.

Let no Body be afrighted, because so many things are to be learnt, when the learning of them will be so pleasant; how profitable I need not tell you.

Sources:
Vivian Salmon, Language and Society in Early Modern England, John Benjamins Publishing, 1996
Bathsua Makin and the Education of Women


http://www.societyforthestudyofwomenphilosophers.org/Bathsua_Makin.html