Damaris Cudworth Masham 1658 - 1708

Damaris Cudworth Masham was the daughter of a well known Platonist philosopher in England. She herself became a philosophers and was

Chronology

Her father tutored her but apparently never taught her any Latin or Greek, two languages considered basic at the time. Her home had an extensive library and as she read the works of the Cambridge Platonists (Ralph Cudworth, Henry More and John Smith), This reading became the basis of her philosophical education.

1682 She meets the philosopher John Locke. They develop a friendship which appears to have becomes romantic. They correspond frequently.

1683 Locke leaves England and goes to Holland. They continue their correspondence. She tries to visit him in Holland but the plans do not work out.

1685 She marries Sir Francis Masham. He is a widower and has eight or nine children from his previous marriage.

1686 A year later she gives birth to her only child, a son who was named Francis Cudworth Masham

1690 John Norris writes Reflections upon the Conduct of Human Life with reference to the Study of Learning and Knowledge, in a letter to an excellent Lady, the Lady Masham. See also: John Norris's place in the work of Mary Astell

1691 Damaris Cudworth Masham publishes Occasional thoughts in reference to a Virtuous or Christian Life but does so anonomously.

John Locke, who is in ill health moves in with the Mashams. He tutors their son. And works on his, Thoughts concerning Education. He remains at their home in Essex for the rest of his life.

1696 Another work, A Discourse Concerning The Love of God is published - again anonymously. This is a reply to a work by John Norris'.

1704 She sends Leibniz a copy of her father's work, The True Intellectual System of the Universe. As a result of some questions she raises, she and Leibniz begin a correspondence about Leibniz' ideas about forms and the action of the soul on matter.

1704 Locke dies at the Masham home. His will contains a legacy to the son whom Locke had tutored.

1706 Damaris Cudworth Masham writes, Divine Love. This work is another critique of the ideas of John Norris.

The Divine Love is translated into French and the translator sends a copy to Leibniz. Leibniz read the work and says that Masham is close to his own ideas found in Codex juris gentium diplomaticus.

1707 She becomes ill and is no longer able to do philosophical work.

1708 April 20 Damaris Cudworth Masham dies.

Works

1795 Occasional Thoughts in reference to a Virtuous or Christian Life, Printed in London for A. and J. Churchil at the Black-Swan in Paternoster-Row.

See also: Beer, E. S., The Correspondence of John Locke, vol II (of VII) (Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1976).

Here is a letter from Leibniz to Damaris Cudworth Masham