Who wrote "The Rights of Woman"?

Mary Wollstonecraft authored "The Rights of Woman," published in 1792, which is a significant work in the history of feminist literature. In this text, Wollstonecraft argues for women's rights and education, advocating for the notion that women should be allowed the same educational opportunities as men to become rational and moral individuals. Her work marked a critical turn in discussions of gender equality and has had a profound impact on feminist thought.

Understanding Wollstonecraft's contributions is crucial in recognizing the foundations of modern feminist philosophies. In contrast, while the other authors listed made significant contributions to literature, their works do not primarily focus on the rights of women nor carry the same philosophical weight regarding gender issues as Wollstonecraft’s. Anna Letitia Barbauld, Charlotte Smith, and Jane Austen wrote notable literature of their own but did not focus directly on the political discourse surrounding women's rights to the extent that Wollstonecraft did in "The Rights of Woman."