Aphra Behn

Upon returning to England in 1664, she married Johan Behn, a Dutch merchant. Since then, she was known publically as Mrs Behn. Tragically, Johan died the following year, leaving Behn on her own.

Behn faced severe health issues during the last four years of her life. However, despite the failing health, she did not stop writing and continued to pen novels, plays, poems and short stories.

Behn breathed her last on April 16 1689. She was buried in the East Cloister Westminster Abbey. Her tombstone bears the inscription, ‘Here lies a Proof that Wit can never be Defence enough against Mortality.’

Apra Behn was born in 1640 in Kent, England. There is not much information regarding her early life. While some speculate that she was born to a barber, John Amis and his wife Amy, others believe that she was born to a couple named Cooper. There is another version, according to which she was the daughter of Mr and Mrs John Johnson of Canterbury.

It is certain that in 1663, young Aphra accompanied the Johnson’s on their voyage to West Indies. During the journey, Johnson passed away. As such, the family settled down in Surinam. The sudden death and the eventual stay in Surinam left a deep impact on young Aphra.

Her visit to Surinam ended in 1664, as she returned to England the same year. In England, she married Johan Behn, a Dutch merchant and soon after was known by the moniker, Mrs Behn.

The sudden death of her husband left Behn with absolutely no money to fall back on. Her wit and talent earned her the position of an intelligence gatherer or political spy for King Charles during the Second Anglo-Dutch War. She moved to Antwerp under the code name Astrea. Her main role as a spy was to establish intimacy with William Scot, son of a regicide Thomas Scot.

Her proceeds as a spy did not bring in much valuable information. Moreover, her expenses steeply increased due to the enhanced cost of living. Adding to the woes was the refusal on part of King Charles to pay the money. With no means to fall back to, she borrowed money for her journey back to England.

Despite repeated attempts and year-long petitioning, King Charles refused to pay Behn money for her work as a spy. Unable to pay the debt, she was forced into debtor’s prison. Though she was released shortly, circumstances that led to her release are unknown.

Behn started writing to support a living. She worked as a copyist for the King's Company and the Duke's Company. In 1670, she came up with her first work, a play ‘The Forc’d Marriage’ which was produced in London. It was followed by ‘The Amorous Prince’, in 1671.

The code name, Astrea which she used during her visit to Antwerp as a political spy was employed in her later works which were published under the same pseudonym, ‘Astrea’.