Swiss novelist and translator, Montolieu was the author of Caroline de Lichtfield, ou Mémoires d'une Famille Prussienne (1786). She was a close friend of Madame de Genlis, whose encouragement was crucial to Montolieu's decision to publish. In addition, Montolieu produced over 100 volumes of translations and is cited as the first translator of Jane Austen's work into French. She married Benjamin de Crouzas in 1769, but the marriage lasted only a few years before Crouzas died in 1775. In 1786 she married Baron Louis de Montolieu, who also pre-deceased her in 1800.

Italian poet and man of letters. He authored a substantial body of poetry, including several significant translations, but is best remembered for his translation of Homer's Illiad. Initially opposed to the French Revolution, he switched to admiring Napoleon during his ascendancy and empire, converting again to supporting the Austrian Empire after Napoleon's fall. Monti's poetry is criticized by some as emphasizing formal precision while reflecting obsequious political inconsistency.

The first true literary review, the Monthly Review was founded by dissenting bookseller Ralph Griffiths in 1749. Griffiths aimed for comprehensive coverage of the entire range of new publications, aspiring “to register all the new Things in general, without exception to any, on account of their lowness of rank, or price” (The Monthly Review, vol. 1, 1749, p. 238). The leading review for the half century when Griffiths served as editor, the Monthly Review provided summary and extract of all but the most specialized publications.

See Rodríguez de Montalvo.

Though the subject of lampoon in the verse of Alexander Pope, Lady Montagu was respected by many of her contemporaries for her poetry, which she circulated among a coterie that included a number of the period's notable literary figures. She is best remembered today, however, for her letters, particularly the vivid accounts of her travels in Turkey after her husband's appointment as ambassador to Constantinople. In addition, after being introduced to Turkish methods of smallpox inoculation, she worked to introduce the practice in England.

Wealthy literary hostess, critic, patron of the literary arts, and head of the Bluestocking Circle of women intellectuals, Montagu presided for many years over salon-style parties famed for their intellectual vivacity. A landmark in literary criticism by women, her Essay on the Writing and Genius of Shakespeare (1769) refuted Voltaire's critique of the poet. As a literary patron, she was especially generous to Elizabeth Carter, on whom she bestowed an annuity.

Illegitimate son of Charles II, he was executed for his role in the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685, which attempted to overthrow James II.

The orphan character in Otway's The Orphan. She dies tragically, poisoning herself out of guilt over the consequences of romantic entanglements that constitute the play's plot.

Pseudonym of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin. An actor and director as well, Molière is probably the best known playwright in the history of French drama.

The Roman personification of wisdom, Minerva is goddess of strategic warfare and arts and crafts such as spinning and weaving. She was born of Jupiter and Juno, springing from the forehead of Jupiter fully armed. She is often equated with the Greek goddess Athena.