“Does not my fortune sit high upon my brow? Dost not see the little wanton god there all gay and smiling have I not an air about my face and eyes, that distinguish me from the crowd of common lovers?” --Aphra Behn The Rover She was not the first woman writer; neither was she the only woman writer of her day. But Aphra Behn holds the singular distinction of being the first professional woman writer …showed first 75 words of 1935 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1935 total…this freedom, but that you will usurp all to yourselves; I lay down my quill, and you shall hear no more of me [...]; for I am not content to write for a third day only. I value fame as much as if I had been born a hero; and if you rob me of that, I can retire from the ungrateful world, and scorn its fickle favors." -- Aphra Behn, The Lucky Chance ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**