Sophia Hume
Encyclopedia
Sophia Wigington Hume was an author and preacher associated with the Quakers
. Hume was born in South Carolina
in 1702, and died in London
in 1774. She was the author of books written to offer guidance to Quakers on a variety of topics including theology
, philosophy
, and personal ethics
.
She is significant as an early example of influential women whose non-fiction writings were addressed to a wide audience regardless of the sex of the reader.
Given the wealth of her writings that survive and which are now beginning to become widely available as online resources, there is a puzzling lack of scholarship on Hume. One article by Phyllis Mack of Rutgers University
is not focused specifically on Hume, but does discuss her place in both Quaker history and the larger contexts of women writers and feminism.
Religious Society of Friends
The Religious Society of Friends, or Friends Church, is a Christian movement which stresses the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. Members are known as Friends, or popularly as Quakers. It is made of independent organisations, which have split from one another due to doctrinal differences...
. Hume was born in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
in 1702, and died in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1774. She was the author of books written to offer guidance to Quakers on a variety of topics including theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
, philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, and personal ethics
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
.
She is significant as an early example of influential women whose non-fiction writings were addressed to a wide audience regardless of the sex of the reader.
Given the wealth of her writings that survive and which are now beginning to become widely available as online resources, there is a puzzling lack of scholarship on Hume. One article by Phyllis Mack of Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
is not focused specifically on Hume, but does discuss her place in both Quaker history and the larger contexts of women writers and feminism.
Works
The known writings of Sophia Hume include:- An Exhortation to the Inhabitants of the Province of South-Carolina, to Bring their Deeds to the Light of Christ, in their Own Consciences (Philadelphia: Printed by B. Franklin & D. Hall, 1748; Bristol, England: Printed by Samuel Farley, 1750).
- An Epistle to the Inhabitants of South Carolina, Containing Sundry Observations Proper to be Considered by Every Professor of Christianity in General (London: Luke Hinde, 1754).
- Extracts from Divers Ancient Testimonies of Friends and Others (London: Luke Hinde, 1760?; Wilmington, Del.: Printed by James Adams, 1766).
- A Caution to Such as Observe Days and Times, to which is Added, an Address to Magistrates, Parents, Masters of Families, Etc. (London, 1760; Newport, R.I.: Printed & sold by Solomon Southwick, 1771).
- A Short Appeal to Men and Women of Reason: Distinguished by Titles of Worldly Honour, or by Riches Exclusive of Titles: Who May be Walking According to the Course of this Evil World, Living in the Pleasures thereof, and Frequenting Theatres, Balls, Etc.; (Bristol, England: Printed by E. Farley, 1765).
- Remarks on the Practice of Inoculation for the Smallpox, second edition (London: 1767).
Further reading
Other important scholarship on Hume includes:- Margaret Hope Bacon, Mothers of Feminism: The Story of Quaker Women in America (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1986).
- Carol Stoneburner and John Stoneburner, eds., The Influence of Quaker Women on American History (Lewiston, N.Y.: Edwin Mellen, 1986)