Margaret Cavendish, (Colcheste 1623 – Welbeck Abbey 1673 ) was a 17th century aristocratic woman, Duchess of Newcastle, took part in some of the most important scientific debates of the time. Although she was not admitted to the English Royal Society, she was once allowed to attend a meeting. She wrote numerous papers on scientific subjects and is the author of one of the first science fiction novels. She was especially critical of the belief that humans were the masters of nature.