Mary Leapor was something of a poetic unicorn in the 18th-century British literary landscape. Born in 1722 in the small, rural village of Marston St Lawrence, England, she was the daughter of a gardener, and she worked as a domestic servant—both unlikely starting points for a literary career. Yet, against all odds, she became one of the era's most notable poets, her voice resonating with strength, humor, and insight. Her works provide a refreshing and often biting commentary on the social expectations and limitations of her time, particularly those imposed on women and the working class.
The 18th century was a fascinating time, teeming with new ideas and changing social structures. It was the age of the Enlightenment, where philosophy, science, and art were making giant strides. However, while there were many changes, society was deeply stratified, and the voices of women like Mary were often silenced or overlooked. It’s surprising to think that a young woman from the working class could manage to be heard amidst all the chatter of scholars, nobility, and gentlemen poets. Her poetry challenges the status quo, pushing back against sexist and classist norms with sharp wit and eloquence.
Mary’s time in service gave her plenty of material to critique the society that surrounded her. Her poem “An Essay on Woman” is particularly revealing. It paints a picture of women who are valued only for their beauty and compliance, destined for little beyond marriage and motherhood. Mary uses her servant experience to articulate her visions of equality and self-worth. She didn’t receive a formal education, yet her sharp intellect and insightful observations are equal to her more privileged contemporaries.
That she wrote at all speaks volumes of her grit and determination. It’s easy to forget that writing wasn’t an easy pastime for women of her standing. Paper and ink were not always readily accessible, and even the act of writing was sometimes seen as stepping out of one’s societal role. Yet, despite these barriers, Mary wrote, and she wrote in a way that was unapologetically bold and joyful, touching on themes like love, beauty, and the human condition. Her works were not published in robust collections during her lifetime, as many male poets’ works were. Instead, most of her poetry reached an audience through posthumous publication, thanks to friends who recognized her talent.
Reading Mary Leapor today feels like sharing a secret with her about the inequities of the past that somehow still echo in today's conversations about gender and class. It’s fascinating to find someone writing so long ago with thoughts and feelings that mirror our own struggles. Her humorous satire, vivid characterization, and empathetic storytelling show that she was ahead of her time. She brilliantly uses her poetry to showcase the hypocrisy and restrictive social mores governing women’s lives, narratives that are still relevant in current discourses on feminism and societal roles.
Critiques have sometimes argued that she was “just a maid” and question the importance of her literary contributions. Yet dismissing Mary Leapor’s work based entirely on her background is an oversight and a disservice, reinforcing the same kinds of prejudices that Mary sought to unpick with her pen. Her background is precisely why her work matters—illustrating the rich perspectives that lie beyond social and economic boundaries. Influential poets like Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift shaped their time’s literary scene, but Mary’s voice provides a vital counterpoint. Examining her work alongside theirs offers a fuller, more inclusive picture of the era.
Her voice serves as a reminder: talent honors no social rank. A maid can indeed write poetry sparkling with brilliance and often obscured by the legacy of gender barriers. In her seemingly simple verses, Leapor imbued deeply complex ideas, balancing her observations with wit and depth that surprise us with their modernity.
For Gen Z and those beyond, who care to look at the intricacies of history, Mary Leapor offers a rich field to explore. Her works remind us that class and gender need not define one’s abilities or place. Her defiance of societal norms through her art is a legacy worth appreciating and championing. Despite the socio-economic cages that sought to contain voices like hers, Mary found a way to craft beauty and truth that defied her status. We are all better for it.