Mary Hays (1759–1843) was an English writer whose main work was the six-volume compendium Female Biography; or, Memoirs of Illustrious and Celebrated Women of All Ages and Countries, featuring the biographies of 300 notable women (in 294 entries) from ancient figures to nearly contemporaries.

Originally published in England in 1803, it was published in the United States four years later. Hays was also a poet and novelist.

Mary Hays was born into a family of Protestant dissidents who rejected the practices of the Church of England, the established church at the time. Read More→