Feminism, Marriage, and the Law in Victorian England, 1850 1895

A study of Victorian reforms in marriage law. Bridging the fields of political theory and history, it reshapes our understanding of the feminist movement of that period. It shows that Victorian feminists argued that justice for women would not follow from public rights alone, but required a fundamental transformation of the marriage relationship. Bridging the fields of political theory and history, this comprehensive study of Victorian reforms in marriage law reshapes our understanding of the feminist movement of that period. As Mary Shanley shows, Victorian feminists argued that justice for women would not follow from public rights alone, but required a fundamental transformation of the marriage relationship.

Bridging the fields of political theory and history, this comprehensive study of Victorian reforms in marriage law reshapes our understanding of the feminist movement of that period. As Mary Shanley shows, Victorian feminists argued that justice for women would not follow from public rights alone, but required a fundamental transformation of the marriage relationship.