Eliza Haywood 
The History of Miss Betsy Thoughtless 
Historical Romance Novel

Eliza Haywood knew that women were just as tempted as men were to live. In this novel Eliza Haywood explores and writes about the woman’s desire, sex, unwanted pregnancy and adultery in 18th century society. Betsy, the protagonist of the story, at first listens with astonishment as her friend describes being seduced and how ‘being seduced’ is fun, but later she herself worries that if she lets her love escort her home, she won’t be able to contain her desire for him.

About the author

Eliza Haywood (1693-1756), was an English writer, actress and publisher. Haywood is a significant figure of the 18th century as one of the important founders of the novel in English. Eliza Haywood’s prolific works, seen as ‘the fair triumvirate of wit’, moved from titillating romance novels to the amatory during the early 1720s to works, focusing more on ‘women’s rights and position’. An increase in interest and recognition of Haywood’s literary works began in the 1980s.