William Godwin

Date of Birth: March 3, 1756

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: April 7, 1836

Biography

William Godwin was a prominent English writer, philosopher, and journalist, widely considered one of the first exponents of utilitarianism and anarchism. Born on March 3, 1756, in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, Godwin was the son of a Nonconformist minister. He initially followed in his father’s footsteps, studying at Hoxton Academy but soon turned his attention to writing and political philosophy. Godwin’s most famous work, “An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice,” published in 1793, argued against the institution of government, advocating for rationality and justice as the basis of human interactions. Godwin was also known for his novel “Things as They Are; or, The Adventures of Caleb Williams” (1794), which critiqued social injustice and the misuse of power. He married Mary Wollstonecraft, the famed feminist author of “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman,” in 1797. They had a daughter, Mary Shelley, who would go on to write “Frankenstein.” Despite facing financial difficulties throughout his life, Godwin continued to write and publish works on philosophy, history, and literature. He passed away on April 7, 1836, in London.

5 Interesting Facts about William Godwin

1. William Godwin is often regarded as the father of philosophical anarchism.

2. His marriage to Mary Wollstonecraft lasted only a few months before her untimely death, yet it significantly influenced his writings on women’s rights.

3. Godwin’s novel “Caleb Williams” is considered one of the first mystery novels.

4. He was the father-in-law of the famous poet Percy Bysshe Shelley.

5. Despite his radical political views, Godwin was friends with several prominent literary figures of his time, including Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from William Godwin

1. “To whom is the practice of deception less pardonable, if not to the philosopher?”

2. “The proper method for hastening the decay of error is by teaching every man to think for himself.”

3. “Justice is the sum of all moral duty.”

4. “He that loves reading has everything within his reach.”

5. “The great model of the human being is not to be found in the great, the rich, the learned, but in the mass of the people.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

William Godwin did not achieve significant wealth during his lifetime. His highest net worth was modest, primarily derived from his writing and publishing ventures, which often faced financial difficulties.

Children

William Godwin had two children with Mary Wollstonecraft: 1. Fanny Imlay (Wollstonecraft’s daughter from a previous relationship, whom Godwin adopted) 2. Mary Shelley (born Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin), who became a renowned author and wrote “Frankenstein.”