A Short History of Women's Rights: From the Days of Augustus to the Present Time. with Special Reference to England and the United States. Second Edition Revised, with Additions.

A historical account written during the early 20th century. The book explores the evolution of women's rights from ancient times through significant periods in history, particularly focusing on England and the United States. Hecker aims to provide a succinct narrative that outlines the incremental advancements in women's rights and evaluates societal attitudes toward women across various cultures and legal frameworks. At the start of the book, Hecker offers a preface that sets the stage for a comprehensive examination of women's rights, underscoring the lack of a cohesive account on the subject available to English-speaking audiences. He highlights the necessity of grounding his work in primary sources and the historical record, detailing women's legal rights and societal roles in ancient civilizations such as Rome. Hecker emphasizes the importance of understanding both the legislative frameworks and cultural perceptions that have historically shaped women's rights, thereby inviting readers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between legal rights and social attitudes throughout history.