Ester Sowernam

Ester Sowernam, English author whose pen name comes from Esther in the Old Testament, who defended her people against Haman. Sowernam is also the antithesis of Joseph Swetnam’s last name (sweet/sour). She was the second of three women to respond to Swetnam’s The Arraignment of Women in her pamphlet, Ester Hath Hanged Haman; or An Answer to a Lewd Pamphlet, Entitled The Arraignment of Women in response to The Arraignment of Lewd, Idle, Froward and Unconstant Men, and Husbands (1617).

In Ester Hath Hanged Haman Sowernam finds that Swetnam has incorrectly stated that the Bible is the source of the statement that women are a necessary evil and finds that the true source is in Euripides’ Medea. She uses secular and religious arguments to refute Swetnam’s accusations. She also uses Latin phrases, references to events of antiquity, to the Bible, and to law to prove that all women are capable of mastering these subjects.

The only clue to Sowernam’s identity is the description on title page, “neither Maide, Wife, nor Widdowe, yet really all, and therefore experienced to defend all.” Her use of numerous classic allusions, Latin phrases, legal jargon, and biblical references shows she was well educated.

Sources

• Ester Hath Hanged Haman. Longman anthology of British literature. 2nd ed. Vol. 1. New York: Longman, 2002. 1511-514.
• Moria Ferguson, First Feminists: British Women Writers 1578 - 1799 [Bloomington, In: Indiana University Press, 1985] (includes excerpt)
• Susan Gushee O'Malley (ed.), 1996, The Early Modern Englishwoman: A Facsimile Library of Essential Works, Part 1: Printed Writings, 1500–1640, Volume 4, Defences of Women: Jane Anger, Rachel Speght, Ester Sowernam, and Constantia Munda, Scolar Press, 1996 (complete text of Protection)
• "Worthy women", New York Times, Thursday, January 8, 1987.
• "In the Battle Of the Sexes, This Word Is a Weapon", New York Times, Sunday, July 25, 1999