Aphra Behn (1640 – 1689) was an English playwright, poet, and novelist who is considered one of the first professional female writers in English literature. She came to prominence in the latter half of the 17th century, during the Restoration period, a time when theatrical and literary life flourished after the re-establishment of the monarchy. Behn's work covered various genres from comedies and political plays to novels and poems. Her most famous play, "The Rover" (1677), and her novel "Oroonoko" (1688), which is seen as an early abolitionist text and a pioneering work in the genre of the novel, are celebrated for their wit, complexity, and commentary on contemporary society and gender issues. Despite being a trailblazer for female authors, Behn was often critiqued by her contemporaries because of her gender and her often scandalous subject matter. Nonetheless, Aphra Behn's contributions significantly shaped the development of English literature, and her legacy paves the way for subsequent generations of women writers.