Women and Printed Almanacs

Almanacs were the most popular printed item in the seventeenth century. They dealt in information ranging from astrology and astronomy through to practical information of various kinds. Sarah Jinner was evidently the first woman to produce almanacs—examples survive from 1658, 1659, 1660, and 1664—and her almanacs seem to have been very popular. In comparison to other almanacs, Jinner’s included a considerable amount of medical advice, especially that related to women’s reproductive and sexual health.