Hannah Webster Foster

Hannah Webster Foster was an American novelist and poet from the late 18th century, best known for her groundbreaking work "The Coquette" (1797). Her writing often explored themes of gender roles, societal expectations, and morality, reflecting the values and struggles of women in her time. Foster's work is considered significant in early American literature for its portrayal of female agency and the complexities of social reputation. She contributed to shaping American literary identity and provided insights into gender and social dynamics during the post-Revolutionary period.