John Gregory

A Father's Legacy to His Daughters

"A Father's Legacy to His Daughters" by John Gregory is a conduct book written after 1761 and published in 1774. Written following his wife's death to honor her memory, this work offers guidance on religion, moral conduct, friendship, and marriage. Gregory controversially advised women to conceal their learning to improve marriage prospects—counsel that Mary Wollstonecraft later attacked in "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman." The book became a bestseller across Britain and America, sparking debate about women's education and authenticity.