The 26 letters below form a small but important segment of the total correspondence of Mary Hays. Her friendship and correspondence with William Godwin was a turning point in her life in many ways, coming at the same time as her romantic relationship with William Frend. The demise of that relationship and her frequent conversations led to her first novel, The Memoirs of Emma Courtney (1796), and fueled her fierce independence as a woman and writer that would continue the rest of her life.

For a biographical summary of her life, click here; for the texts of her periodical essays on Helvetius from 1796, click here; for her correspondence with William Godwin, 1794-96, click here; for her correspondence with Eliza Fenwick, click here. For two examples of her Life Writings on May Wollstonecraft and Charlotte Smith, click here. The texts of two of her pamphlets, Cursory Remarks and Appeal to the Men of Great Britain, as well as her dramatic work of moral education and conduct, The Brothers, can also be found on this site. For all the letters and writings of Mary Hays, along with substantial biographical material, see Timothy Whelan, creator, Mary Hays: Life, Writings, and Correspondence, at www.maryhayslifewritingscorespondence.com.