Vindication of the Rights of Woman , in 1798. He made no apologies for his late wife's lifestyle prior to their marriage, and while the book was tender but true, it was to result in her being branded licentious. It wasn't received well by an audience not yet ready for the feminist cause .

Godwin practised his late wife's childcare techniques and became both mother and father to the young Mary. She was precocious, sensitive, spirited and his favourite child of the two in his care. While he supervised the girls' schooling , he celebrated Mary's superior intelligence. He took both girls on regular excursions to the pantomime , various events, and dinners with his literary friends.