Elizabeth Bathurst

Elizabeth Bathurst (1655–1685) was an English Quaker preacher and theologian, and the author of one of the few early systematic accounts of Quaker beliefs.

Life Bathurst was born in London, the eldest child of Charles Bathurst. She and her siblings became Quakers in 1678. Soon after her conversion to Quakerism, she interrupted worship at Samuel Annesley's Presbyterian chapel in London, speaking against the doctrine of reprobation. Later, she undertook several preaching tours, and was imprisoned at least once in the Marshalsea prison.

Bathurst was recognised during her lifetime by the Quaker community as a gifted preacher.

Writings Bathurst's major work was Truth's Vindication: Or, A Gentle Stroke to Wipe Off The Foul Aspersions, False Accusations and Misrepresentations, Cast Upon the People of God, call'd Quakers (first published 1679). Truth's Vindication was reprinted six times by Quaker publishers - notably in a posthumous (1691) edition by Tace Sowle, as her first project after she took over her father's publishing firm.