In the later 20th century, as the life and work of the much-neglected female Restoration writer Aphra Behn (1640-1689) was seeping into the public consciousness after long years of neglect, scholars turned their attention to her early life, upbringing and influences. Even her place of birth was uncertain. When in the 21st century Canterbury had been firmly established as the city where she passed her formative years, the Society launched a campaign to erect an appropriate memorial to her. Its purpose was not just to commemorate but also to inform and educate about Britain’s first female professional writer.