Hugh Thompson to Give Talk Titled Mary the Contrary at Putney Library
Local writer considers the career of Mary Wollstonecraft – 'Britain's first feminist'
Mary Wollstonecraft has an unfortunate association with Putney Bridge
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September 18, 2026
A light will be shone on one of Britain’s most radical and enduring thinkers at Putney Library, as local writer and former Times journalist Hugh Thompson returns to deliver a talk on Mary Wollstonecraft — the pioneering advocate for women’s rights whose life was as dramatic as her ideas were revolutionary.
Titled “Mary the Contrary”, the event takes place on Thursday 15 October, offering an engaging introduction to the woman often described as “Britain’s first feminist.”
Wollstonecraft’s legacy is vast: her writings shaped the Romantic movement, inspired generations of women seeking equality, and laid the foundations for modern feminist thought. Yet her own life was marked by turbulence — a cruel childhood, disastrous relationships, fierce intellectual battles, and two suicide attempts, including the moment she threw herself from Putney Bridge.
Hugh’s talk promises to explore how Wollstonecraft navigated these hardships to become a respected and influential figure in the history of female emancipation. Once dismissed by critics as a “hyena in a petticoat,” she is now celebrated for her courage and clarity of thought — though, as her recent statue in Newington Green shows, she remains a figure who provokes debate.
Refreshments will be served from 6pm, with the talk beginning at 6.30pm. Admission is free, and booking is available via Eventbrite or the QR code on the library’s promotional materials.
The event is hosted by The Friends of Putney Library, a volunteer-led group founded in 2013 to support and promote the library’s role in the community. Their programme of talks, films and cultural events has helped establish Putney Library — a Grade II listed building on Disraeli Road — as a lively hub for local history, literature and civic life.
For further information, residents can contact Putney Library on 020 8780 3085.
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