Plymouth Athenaeum

Yes Papa! Mrs Chapone and the Bluestocking Circle

Part of Plymouth International Book Festival

Barbara Eaton visits Plymouth to discuss her biography of Hester Chapone, Yes Papa! Mrs Chapone and the Bluestocking Circle. The Bluestockings were an informal women’s social and educational movement in England in the mid- 18th century. The society emphasized education and mutual co-operation rather than the individualism which marked the French version.

“Barbara Eaton’s delightful biography has restored (Hester) Chapone to her rightful place… a vivid portrait of Chapone as both ‘spitfire’ and dutiful daughter...