Abstracts Womens Studies

Propriétaires in Plain Sight: The Legal and Economic Autonomy of Married Women in Southern France, 1750-1815

by Caroline S. Hackett

This dissertation explores women's property ownership in the south of France from 1750-1815, with a particular emphasis on an overlooked group of women in Bas Languedoc, centered around Montpellier. The study investigates the impact of women's legal and marital status on their economic agency, filling a gap in historical scholarship that has neglected this specific group. In contrast to other regions of France where customary law prevailed, women in the south, subject to written law, enjoyed legal and social empowerment enabling them to independently own and manage property. This assertion applies regardless of social and demographic variables. The argument is substantiated by a blend of qualitative and quantitative evidence. Three in-depth case studies featuring prominent married women- the Marquise de Spinola, the Marquise de Murs, and Catherine Rose Mallié- serve as illustrative examples. These case studies highlight women's formal property ownership and their active engagement in wealth management through activities such as litigation, transactions, leasing, and philanthropy. To complement the case studies, a meticulous examination of notary and tax records reveals the breadth and prevalence of women's property ownership. Geographic comparisons and temporal analyses further illuminate the varied landscape of women's economic autonomy over time. This dissertation argues for the importance of regional perspectives in understanding French history, emphasizing the necessity to provincialize historical narratives for a more nuanced comprehension of women's diverse experiences. Furthermore, it challenges conventional assumptions about the limitations of marriage as an institution, encouraging historians to move beyond passive interpretations of its role in shaping women's economic agency. A Dissertation submitted to the Department of History in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. March 5, 2024. France, gender, history, women Rafe Blaufarb, Professor Directing Dissertation; Jessica H. Clark, University Representative; Andrew Frank, Committee Member; Catherine Elisab McClive, Committee Member.