Home > The Literary Salon > A Brief History >
Salon on Women's Place

Salons as Women's Place

These salons became important for women’s social development because they provided an area for women to exhibit their learning. In many ways, it represented an informal university for women – one of the only places that women could sharpen their intellectual prowess by conversing with other educated men and women. Since the founders of the salon were women, it became exceedingly important for women to be the center of salon life. As these salons became more widespread in France, and developed in Britain, the women were responsible for setting the tone of the evening by selecting and inviting guests and deciding the purpose of the discourse, whether social, literary, or political.

A Costume Ball in Ranelagh Gardens, Chelsea – 1751. This image depicts the glamorous side of British life - functions that would be a primary activity of these women - prior to their allegiance with salon culture.