Aphra Behn

Aphra Behn (1640-1689) was a pioneering English playwright, poet, and novelist, often credited as one of the first professional female writers in English literature. Her bold works and vibrant life broke significant barriers for women in the arts.

Biography

Attribute	Details
Name	Aphra Behn
Date of Baptism	14 December 1640
Date of Death	16 April 1689
Nationality	English
Profession	Playwright, Poet, Prose Writer, Translator
Era	Restoration
Notable Works	Oroonoko: or, the Royal Slave, The Rover
Significance	One of the first English women to earn a living by writing, broke cultural barriers, literary role model for women
Association with Charles II	Employed as a spy in Antwerp
Legal Troubles	Faced legal trouble during the Exclusion Crisis for her writings
Political Stance	Staunch supporter of the Stuart line
Burial	Westminster Abbey, East Cloister near the steps to the church
Legacy	Remembered in Virginia Woolf’s “A Room of One’s Own” for pioneering the right for women to speak their minds
Pseudonym	Astrea

Early Life

Aphra Behn, born around 1640, is often recognized as one of the first English women to earn a living by her writing, making significant contributions to literature. Although details about her early life remain somewhat obscure, it is known that she was born in Wye, a small village in Kent, England. She was baptized as Eaffry Johnson. Aphra spent part of her childhood in the British colony of Suriname, a South American region that would later serve as an exotic backdrop for her novel “Oroonoko.” Upon returning to England, Behn settled in London, where she would eventually become an influential playwright, poet, and novelist. Her experiences and travels provided rich material for her works, setting the stage for her notable career in the literary world.

Family

Relation	Name	Information
Father	Bartholomew Johnson	Bartholomew Johnson was a barber and a father to Aphra Behn. He passed away when Aphra was young, possibly while traveling to Surinam.
Mother	Amy Johnson	Amy Johnson is believed to have been a nurse. After her husband’s death, she raised Aphra and her siblings.
Sibling	Unknown	Details about Aphra Behn’s siblings are scarce. Historical records do not provide clear information about their names or lives.

Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements

Attribute	Measurement
Height	Unknown
Weight	Unknown
Other Body Measurements	Unknown

Note: Detailed physical measurements of Aphra Behn are not available in historical records.

Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend

Aphra Behn (1640–1689) was a pioneering English playwright, poet, and novelist. As one of the first English women to earn a living by her writing, she played a significant role in the literary world of the Restoration period. Here is a summary of her known relationships:

As of historical records, Aphra Behn was not known to have a current relationship at the time of her death in 1689. There is no documented evidence of her being married or having a long-term partner at the time of her passing.

Aphra Behn’s romantic life remains largely speculative and shrouded in mystery. However, there are a few significant relationships that historians have considered based on available evidence:

Name	Relationship Type	Details
Mr. Behn	Husband	It is believed that Aphra Behn was married to a man named Mr. Behn, a merchant of Dutch or German descent. The marriage likely occurred in the early 1660s, but details about Mr. Behn and their relationship are scarce. The marriage did not last long, and Mr. Behn reportedly died during the 1660s.
John Hoyle	Possible Lover	John Hoyle was a lawyer and a notorious libertine with whom Aphra Behn is thought to have had a tumultuous and passionate relationship. Their relationship is often inferred from Behn’s letters and poems, though concrete details remain elusive.

In summary, Aphra Behn’s personal life, particularly her romantic relationships, remains largely a subject of speculation. The most significant known relationship was with her husband, Mr. Behn, whose details are largely lost to history. Other relationships, such as with John Hoyle, are suggested by her writings but are not definitively documented.

Career, Achievements And Controversies

How She Became Famous

Aphra Behn (1640-1689) became famous as one of the first English women to earn a living through her writing. Her works, including plays, poetry, and novels, garnered significant attention and acclaim during her lifetime, establishing her as a pioneering figure in English literature.

How Her Career Started

Aphra Behn’s career began in earnest after a stint as a spy for the British government in Antwerp, a role that left her in financial difficulties upon her return to England. She turned to writing as a means of support, debuting her first play, The Forc’d Marriage, in 1670. Her ability to captivate audiences with her dramatic works quickly made her a prominent playwright of the Restoration period.

Popular Works

• The Rover (1677) – One of her most popular and enduring plays, it remains a staple in the study of Restoration drama.
• Oroonoko (1688) – A groundbreaking novel that deals with themes of slavery, race, and colonialism, often considered one of the earliest English novels.
• The Dutch Lover (1673) – A romantic comedy that showcases her wit and skill in character development.
• Love-Letters Between a Nobleman and His Sister (1684) – A novel that explores complex themes of politics and forbidden love.

Awards

During her lifetime, formal literary awards as we know them today did not exist. However, Aphra Behn’s recognition came in the form of patronage and the sustained popularity of her works in the competitive environment of Restoration theatre. Her legacy is honored in contemporary times, with numerous academic studies and literary societies dedicated to her work.

Controversies

Aphra Behn’s career was not without controversy. In a period when women were largely excluded from the professional literary world, her success was met with both admiration and criticism. Some of the main controversies include:

• Gender and Professionalism: Behn faced significant prejudice for being a woman in a male-dominated profession. Critics often attacked her morality and questioned her authorship, suggesting that a woman could not possibly write with such skill and insight.
• Political Views: Her political allegiances, particularly her support for the Stuart monarchy, were contentious. Works like Oroonoko have b

Faq