François Poullain de La Barre

(1647 - 1723)

After studying theology at the Sorbonne, François Poullain de La Barre became a follower of Cartesian philosophy and fired off three quick feminist tracts, including A Physical and Moral Discourse on the Equality of Both Sexes, Which Shows That It Is Important to Rid Oneself of Prejudices. He later became a Catholic priest, preaching around France until he converted to Calvinism, got married, and moved to Geneva, where he died.