Biography:

Olympe de Gouges was born on May 7^th 1748, and died on November 3^rd 1793, after being guillotined. She was a female activist, social reformer and writer, she especially fought for the recognition of women as citizens and is considered as one of the first feminists.

Olympe de Gouges, from her real name Marie Gouze, was born to a modest background. She was said to be one of illegitimate children of Jean Jacques le Franc but was never recognized as a legitimate child. She was married at 16 but her marriage did not last long due to the death of her husband. After this event, she chose to move to Paris, to study French and literature as well as find people who would share her ideas. She signs her first plays under the name of Olympe de Gouges.

She very know for the strong ideas but also for the publication of the “Declaration des droits de la femme et de la citoyenne” as a reply to the “Déclaration des droits de l’homme et du citoyen ». By the publication of this pamphlet she asserted that women have the same rights as men and should be treated as equals. Unfortunately, due to her support to the crown and her very political ideas she was arrested in 1793 and executed the day after her arrestation.

Here are some of the scans mentionned before

• Déclaration des droits de la Femme et de la Citoyenne