Elizabeth Carter

Elizabeth Carter, born on December sixteenth, seventeen seventeen, was a remarkable English poet, classicist, writer, translator, and linguist. She was a prominent figure in the Bluestocking Circle, a group of intellectual women that included notable personalities such as Elizabeth Montagu. Carter gained significant recognition for her pioneering English translation of the second-century Discourses of Epictetus, which showcased her deep understanding of classical philosophy.

In addition to her translation work, Carter was an accomplished poet and a skilled translator of works from French and Italian. Her literary contributions extended beyond her published poems, as she maintained an extensive correspondence with many of her contemporaries, enriching the intellectual landscape of her time.

Carter's circle of friends included several eminent figures, such as Hannah More, Hester Chapone, and other members of the Bluestocking group. She also formed close friendships with Anne Hunter, a poet and socialite, and Mary Delany, further solidifying her position within the literary community. Notably, she befriended the esteemed Samuel Johnson, contributing to the editing of some editions of his periodical, The Rambler.