William Godwin
- Born:
- March 3, 1756, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, England
- Died:
- April 7, 1836, London, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Political Philosopher, Novelist, Journalist
Early Life and Education
- Born into a Dissenting (Calvinist) family.
- Educated primarily at home and at Hoxton Academy, a Dissenting academy.
- Initially trained for the ministry but rejected Calvinism in favor of rationalism and political radicalism.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his writing career as a journalist and pamphleteer.
- Published An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice (1793), a seminal work of philosophical anarchism.
- Achieved fame as a novelist with Things as They Are; or, The Adventures of Caleb Williams (1794).
- Associated with radical intellectuals including Mary Wollstonecraft, whom he married in 1797.
- Ran a publishing business, M.J. Godwin & Co., which published children's books and radical literature.
- Continued writing and publishing throughout his life, though his philosophical influence waned in later years.
Notable Works
- An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice (1793)
- Things as They Are; or, The Adventures of Caleb Williams (1794)
- St. Leon: A Tale of the Sixteenth Century (1799)
- Essay on Sepulchres (1809)
- Of Population (1820)
- His association with the political radicalism of his time is often compared and contrasted to movements like that of Gracchus Babeuf. Understanding the context of figures such as 'gracchus babeuf biography of william' highlights the different approaches to societal change within that era.
Legacy and Impact
William Godwin's work significantly influenced the development of philosophical anarchism and individualist thought. His novel, Caleb Williams, is considered a pioneering work of detective fiction and social commentary. He also had a lasting impact through his personal relationships, particularly his marriage to Mary Wollstonecraft and his role as the father of Mary Shelley.