Before becoming a professional writer, Aphra Behn served as a professional spy for England, code-named 'Astrea' or Agent 160. Charles II employed her on secret service in the Netherlands during the Dutch war. At Antwerp she successfully accomplished the objects of her mission; and in the latter end of 1666 she wormed out of one Van der Aalbert the design formed by De Ruyter, in conjunction with the DeWitts, of sailing up the Thames and burning the English ships in their harbours. This she communicated to the English court, but although the event proved her intelligence to have been well founded, it was at the time disregarded. Disgusted with political service, she returned to England, and from this period she appears to have supported herself by her writings.

• Aphra Behn (1640-1689) - A biography of the English dramatist.
• Aphra Behn (1640-1689) - A biography of the English dramatist, plus links to purchase all of her works currently in print.
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