Hannah (Allgood) Glasse (1708-1770) published The Art of Cookery, Made Plain and Easy in 1747. The book, which became the most popular cookbook of the eighteenth century, stands out for its practical advice, common sense recipes, and careful organization. It was written for the common cook to help in the preparation of economical meals. Glasse abandoned the "high polite [style]" of most cookbooks of the time to offer recipes and meal preparation advice to anyone "who can but read."

Glasse was born in London in 1708, the illegitimate daughter of Isaac and Hannah (Clark) Allgood. Her father was the son of Rev. Major Allgood, who held the position of rector of Simonsburn. Her mother was the daughter of Isaac Clark, a vintner who maintained his business in London. Hannah had at least one sibling, a half-brother named Lancelot Allgood (1711-1782) who served as sheriff and later as a member of...