James Fordyce

James Fordyce (1720-96) was best known for his Sermons to Young Women, 2 vols (London: A. Millar for T. Cadell, 1766).   Fordyce believed that a truly intelligent woman should not seek ‘any kind of pre-eminence’ in conversation, ‘but instead of pretending to teach, [should be] willing to learn—instead of courting applause, [should be] ready to confer it’, knowing that ‘the noblest improvement of superior knowledge, is superior humility’ (Sermons, 1.299-300).