Harriet Martineau, by Richard Evans In her 1837 essay, Women , Martineau presents that both the sexes are ignorant of the social injustices suffered by women, which in turn causes the female sex to be deficit in their morality. Often considered the first female sociologist, Martineau was able to earn enough to support herself through her writings and translations: a rare feat for a woman living in the Victorian era! Though Martineau's essay was written almost 200 years ago, there are still certain passages which ring true in society's treatment of women today, particularly when we consider the treatment of women who speak out against injustice towards their sex and consider that certain members of society "want the magnanimity to discern woman’s human rights; and they crush her morals rather than allow them." Reading time: 15 minutes Woman (1837) If a test of civilisation be sought, none can be so sure as the condition of that half of society over which t...