This Women’s History Month we are delving into the world of women’s work, exploring the jobs, industries and conditions in which women have worked by using materials from The Women’s Library at LSE, writes Mhairi Gowans. In our fourth blog we explore the life of Aphra Behn, a woman who worked as a spy for King Charles II.
While the prevalence of female spies during World War II is well known, there actually are plenty of examples of women who became undercover agents before the 20th century. In a society where the capacities of women may be underestimated, a female spy is consequently less likely to be suspected and therefore a tremendous asset. Out of the women spies in the early modern period, Aphra Behn is one of the most well-known. Yet, despite not only being a spy, but a playwright and an author, the real Aphra Behn remains an enigma.
She is not so much a woman to be unmasked as an unending combination of masks.
– Professor Janet Todd OBE
In some stories Aphra is born in Canterbury, in others she is born in Wye or Harbledown. Some describe her as the daughter of a barber while others recount a more advantageous background. A book in LSE’s own collection, All the Histories and Novels Written by the Late Ingenious Mrs Behn, includes an account of her life by a woman claiming to have been an acquaintance.
She was a Gentlewoman by Birth, of a good Family in the City of Canterbury in Kent; her paternal Name was Johnson, whose relation to the Lord Willoughby, drew him, for the advantageous Post of Lieutenant–General of many Isles, besides the Continent of Surinam.
– All the Histories and Novels Written by the Late Ingenious Mrs Behn
In this version of events, Aphra’s father’s job is the reason for her voyage to Suriname in 1663, however it is believed that her trip was an espionage mission. The colonies were of great economic and political importance to England – but far-flung territories are also difficult to govern, especially in times of domestic turmoil, as the English Civil War era had been. As with anything in Aphra’s life, what is true about her Suriname trip is highly contested. If Aphra was in the colony as a spy, it is likely she was tasked with either informing on Governor William Byam, or the son of a Parliamentarian called William Scot.
The Restoration government’s attitude was to rein in the colonies, tie them closer to the home country, and have them operate to England’s benefit.
– Mathew Parker, Willougbyland: England’s Last Colony, 2017
Aphra was ultimately expelled from Suriname by Governor William Byam, and by 1664 she was back in England and claiming marriage to a Dutchman. However, the mysterious Mr Behn leaves no trace – there is no evidence of divorce, death, or that he ever existed. He was perhaps another piece of fiction, invented to provide Aphra greater freedoms than those afforded to a single woman. Regardless, he disappeared from Aphra’s life as quickly as he entered and, in 1666, she found herself travelling alone to Antwerp on another undercover mission.
I shall tell you I have made two Dutchmen in love with me. Dutchmen! Do you mind me, that have no Soul for anything but Gain.
– Aphra Behn, All the Histories and Novels Written by the Late Ingenious Mrs Behn
In one of Aphra’s letters published within All the Histories and Novels is an account of how she tricked a man called Vander Albert into telling her secrets that would have “done our King, and, if not our Court, our Country, no small Service.” Also in these accounts, are letters to and from a lover called Van Bruin, a friend of Vander Albert who is also competing for her favour. But were these real events? Or just another invention of Aphra’s? Historian Nadine Akkerman argued in a podcast with Dr Fern Riddell that Aphra was adept at forging correspondence and made up many of her activities in Antwerp.
Aphra Behn’s first works of fictions were autobiographical: her first invention was that she was a lady, her second was that she was a spy.
– Nadine Akkerman
Whatever happened, real or imagined, with the two Dutchmen, the real mission in Antwerp once more involved William Scot, the Parliamentarian’s son who she had spied on in Suriname. Scot had left Suriname and taken up residence in Holland, but the King seemed interested in turning him into a double agent. According to letters held in the National Archives, Aphra Behn was successful in turning Scot but found that the King and court had become less interested in her mission and that her letters went unanswered.
After I had used all arguments to him that were fit for me, he became extremely willing to undertake your service … I really believe his intent is very real.
– Aphra Behn, Aphra Behn: Memoirs of a Shee-Spy
Stuck in Antwerp with no response or instruction from her employers, Aphra fell into debt and, on return to England, there is no evidence that she was ever asked again to provide her services as a spy. Instead Aphra started a successful career as playwright and writer. The book Oronooko, published towards the end of her life, has become Aphra’s most famous work due to its popularity with the Abolitionist movement.
Explore Aphra Behn’s life and work through All the Histories and Novels Written by the Late Ingenious Mrs Behn available at the LSE Digital Library.
