Ladies’ Mercury

English periodical

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

The Ladies' Mercury was an English periodical launched in 1693 by John Dunton. It was specifically designed for women and emerged from experimental numbers of the Athenian Mercury that Dunton had previously dedicated to the "Fair Sex".1

This publication was a precursor to modern women's magazines, offering content tailored to female readers. While the 18th century saw women's magazines with robust content reflecting women's societal roles, the 19th century saw a shift towards domesticity. However, publications like the Ladies' Mercury laid the groundwork for later, more specialized women's periodicals that would address a wider range of topics and needs.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

history of publishing
Beginnings in the 17th century
…magazine specifically for women, the Ladies’ Mercury. Finally, another note, taken up time and again later, was struck by The London Spy (1698–1700), issued by a tavern keeper, Ned Ward, and containing a running narrative of the sights and sounds of London.
Read More
…magazine specifically for women, the Ladies’ Mercury. Finally, another note, taken up time and again later, was struck by The London Spy (1698–1700), issued by a tavern keeper, Ned Ward, and containing a running narrative of the sights and sounds of London.
Read More