Family Name: Carter
First Name: Elizabeth
Birth Date: Wed, Dec 15, 1717
Birth Place: Deal (Kent)
Death Date: Tue, Feb 18, 1806
Death Place: London
Main places of activity:
Place From To
Deal 1716 1758
Place From To
London 1758 1805
Personal info:
Education

She was educated by her father, in Latin and Greek, and then taught herself several other modern languages. She also studied astronomy, mathematics, history and geography under Thomas Wright, and domestic accomplishments under the Hugenot refugee Le Sueur in Canterbury.
Career

After publishing her first poetry in 1734, she frequented literary circles in London, where she met Tomas Birch and Edward Cave, as well as Samuel Johnson. Her translation of Epictetus brought her fame and respect, as well as financial independence. She frequented the circle of women writers called the bluestockings and became particularly friends with Elizabeth Montagu. Later in life she mixed in the highest social and intellectual circles. She refused all offers of marriage.
Financial Situation

Early in her life she was dependent on her father, the Rev. William Carter, but her translation Epictetus brought her probably 1000 guineas which enabled her to spend every winter in London. In 1764 she was given an annuity (first £100, then £150) by the heirs of her friend William Pulteney, Lord Bath.
Translations Other Works

translations activities

ELizabeth Carter is best known for her translation of Epictetus, which brought her fame and wealth, but she had previously translated works by Crousaz and Algarotti, under encouragement from Thomas Birch and Edward Cave.

secondary bibliography references

article 'Carter, Elizabeth', by Judith Hawley, ODNB.

J. Hawley, ed., Elizabeth Carter, vol. 2 of Bluestocking feminism: writings of the bluestocking circle, 1738–1785, ed. G. Kelly (1999).

Translations

  • Examen de "l'Essai de M. Pope sur l'homme"

  • Translation Title: An Examination of Mr. Pope's Essay on Man, from the French of M. Crousaz
  • Original Author: Crousaz, Jean-Pierre de
  • Original title: Examen de "l'Essai de M. Pope sur l'homme"
  • Publ. Year From: 1736 to: 1736
  • lang: French
  • Translation: An Examination of Mr. Pope's Essay on Man, from the French of M. Crousaz
  • Publisher: Edward Cave
  • Pub. Place: London
  • Pub. Date: 1738
  • Lang: English

  • Il newtonianismo per le dame ovvero Dialoghi sopra la luce e i colori

  • Translation Title: Sir Isaac Newton's Philosophy Explain'd for the Use of the Ladies
  • Original Author: Francesco Algarotti
  • Original title: Il newtonianismo per le dame ovvero Dialoghi sopra la luce e i colori
  • Publ. Year From: 1736 to: 1736
  • lang: Italian
  • Translation: Sir Isaac Newton's Philosophy Explain'd for the Use of the Ladies
  • Publisher: Edward Cave
  • Pub. Place: London
  • Pub. Date: 1737
  • Lang: English

  • Discourses, Enchiridion, Fragments

  • Translation Title: All the Works of Epictetus which are now Extant
  • Original Author: Epictetus
  • Original title: Discourses, Enchiridion, Fragments
  • lang: Greek
  • Note:

    Epictetus's works were transcribed agter his death and some have been lost. It is not known which edition Carter used.
  • Translation: All the Works of Epictetus which are now Extant
  • Publisher: Andrew Millar, John Rivington, and Robert and James Dodsley
  • N° Editions: 5
  • Pub. Place: London
  • Pub. Date: 1757
  • Lang: English
  • Note:

    The work was reprintedin 1758 and there were editions in Dublin in 1759, in London in 1766 and 1768, and a posthumous corrected edition in 1807. There have been several editions since, as well as editions of extracts.

  • Odes

  • Translation Title: The Works of Horace in English by Several Hands
  • Original Author: Horace
  • Original title: Odes
  • lang: Latin
  • Note:

    The work was written between 23 and 15 B.C.E. The translation and notes were based on several editions.
  • Translation: The Works of Horace in English by Several Hands
  • Publisher: R. and J. Dodsley
  • Pub. Place: London
  • Pub. Date: 1756
  • Lang: English
  • Note:

    Carter only translated Book I, Ode 15.

calamaio

By:

  • Ann Thomson