Name: Talk: Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle: Is it fair to call her ‘Mad Madge’?
Start: 2025-03-05T18:00:00+00:00
Location: The Crescent, SK17 6BH Buxton, United Kingdom

$Talk: Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle: Is it fair to call her \u2018Mad Madge\u2019?$

Tickets are now available online and in the Pump Room.
Danielle Burton is a historian, author, and history blogger based in Derbyshire, with a deep-rooted passion for history, a love she inherited from both of her parents. She holds a First Class degree in History from the University of Derby and an MA in Public History and Heritage. In February 2024, Danielle published her debut history book, Anthony Woodville: Sophisticate or Schemer?, a biography about Anthony Woodville, the brother-in-law of Edward IV.
Danielles talk, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle: Is it fair to call her ‘Mad Madge’?, examines the life of Margaret Cavendish, a remarkable figure who defied the conventions of her time. Cavendish engaged in numerous activities that were considered ‘unladylike’ by the standards of the 17th century but was consistently supported by her husband, William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle. In this talk, Danielle explores the origins of Margaret’s nickname “Mad Madge” and challenges whether this label truly reflects her character and accomplishments.
Margaret Cavendish was one of the 17th century’s most prolific female authors and natural philosophers, writing during a period of immense political and social turmoil. Her works spanned a wide range of genres, from literature to philosophy, and she became known for her intellectual and creative pursuits, which were ahead of her time.