above all David Ricardo. This was well received and widely read, though some later economists such as Alfred Marshall were dismissive, to the detriment of its later reputation, and Joseph Schumpeter derided it as "economics for schoolgirls." The purpose, however, was an important one that went beyond the lucrative demands of a niche market. Mrs B's flippant pupil Caroline says she would have thought a woman could be excused ignorance of that topic. Mrs B replies tartly, "When you plead in favour of ignorance, there is a strong presumption that you are in the wrong." Marcet's Conversations on Political Economy were an inspiration to Harriet Martineau to introduce economic topics into her writings. In 1820 the Marcets travelled to Geneva, Switzerland, intending to relocate there. In 1822, Alexander died unexpectedly while on a visit to Britain, to Jane's extreme distress. She went through one of several periods of depression that affected her life, described by her friend Auguste de La Rive as a "shadow enveloping an energetic and active spirit." She retained strong ties to her Swiss friends, but eventually returned to live in England. There she remained active in scientific circles, and updated and published new editions of her major works throughout her life. Her last edition of "Conversations on Chemistry" appeared when she was 84. In later life, Marcet wrote new works mainly for children, perhaps with her grandchildren in mind. Mary's Grammar (1835) became a classic. Jane Marcet lived for the latter part of her life with a daughter, at 14 Stratton Street, Piccadilly, London. She died there on 28 June 1858. Legacy Marcet's major contribution was her work as an educator. Her work contained few original ideas, but rested on careful study of current theories and voluminous ongoing correspondence with current scientists. It was noted for precision, accuracy and thoroughness. She presented science and economics in an informal way, but her simple introductions to often complex subjects were widely appreciated by adults as well as children. Perhaps most importantly, they reached women, including students in prominent women's seminaries, who had not been encouraged to explore the experimental sciences at the time. Marcet was uniquely qualified to popularise chemistry and economics by her contacts with many of the greatest thinkers and scientists of her day. She deserves much credit in the new fields of chemistry and political economy. By writing in discursive English, she made scientific knowledge