One of the first successful female playwrights was Aphra Behn. She was an English playwright, poet, prose writer, and translator during the Restoration era, and is recognized as one of the first English women to earn a living by her writing

. Besides being a playwright, Aphra Behn also worked as a spy for King Charles II. She was employed in espionage activities in Antwerp, though her spying career was reportedly frustrating and not very successful

. After her stint as a spy, she turned to writing plays and became widely successful, breaking cultural barriers for women authors in her time

. In summary:

• Who: Aphra Behn
• Professions: Playwright and Spy

This dual career makes her a notable figure in both literary and espionage history.