Learning From Literature

The Most Famous Female Authors Pt 1

In celebration of Women’s History Month, I thought it would be a great opportunity to recognize 10 of the most famous female authors, each who have significantly impacted literature and inspired scores of people. Historically, women played a pivotal role in transforming the perception of reading from a solely functional activity to an enjoyable pursuit, specifically by popularizing fiction.

It is important to recognize that all of these trailblazers had to navigate challenges associated with their gender. Almost all published under altered or pen names, enhancing marketability and publication opportunities by adopting less overtly feminine identities. 

The obstacles these women have overcome underline the resilience and determination these authors embodied on their literary journeys. From single mothers on welfare to struggling with mental illness, these authors defied all naysayers to become some of the most influential people in history (many who are on the 93 Of The Best Classic Books To Read list).

Enjoy!

Jane Austen (1775–1817)

Jane Austen was one of the earliest female writers in a time where women lacked property rights, voting privileges, and other societal freedoms.  Due to societal constraints, many of her works were published anonymously, resulting in limited recognition during her lifetime. Now, she is widely celebrated as one of the most renowned authors in history. Austen’s narratives often explore the challenges women faced in society, particularly dependence on marriage and financial stability.

Popular Works:

  • Pride and Prejudice (1813) → Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy have a tumultuous romance amid the social intricacies of 19th-century England
  • Sense and Sensibility (1811) → the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne come of age and are forced to move with their widowed mother from the estate on which they grew up
Mary Shelley (1797–1851)

Mary Shelley had a sad and tumultuous life; she was raised without a mother, outlived three of her children, her husband drowned, and was marked by illness before she died at age 53. Despite this, Shelley’s Frankenstein, written at age 18, not only established her as a literary giant but also laid the foundation for the science fiction genre. She was forced to publish anonymously because she was afraid that “it would cause such an outrage if written by a woman that she would lose her children.” Shelley delves into themes of ambition, the human condition, and the ethical implications of scientific exploration.

Popular Works:

  • Frankenstein (1818) → Ambitious scientist Victor Frankenstein creates a monstrous being, only to grapple with the consequences of playing god
Charlotte Brontë (1816–1855)

Charlotte Brontë is the eldest among the famous Bronte sisters. Her literary legacy is epitomized by her notable novels, most notably Jane Eyre, which she published under the gender-neutral pen name Currer Bell. Notably, she forged a distinctive path by crafting first-person narratives from a female perspective, a groundbreaking approach uncommon for her time, solidifying her influence on literature for generations to come.

Popular Works:

  • Jane Eyre (1847) → An orphaned governess overcomes adversity, finds love with the brooding Mr. Rochester, and ultimately asserts her independence in a constrained society
Emily Brontë (1818–1848)

Emily Brontë is most renowned for her sole novel, Wuthering Heights, published under the gender-neutral pen name Ellis Bell, a tradition shared with her sisters. Tragically, Emily passed away a year later, never witnessing the true acclaim her novel garnered, now considered an English classic. Defying the prevalent literary style of Classicism, she embraced Romanticism and Gothic elements, significantly contributing to the popularity of a new type of novel.

Popular Works:

  • Wuthering Heights (1847) → Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw intertwine their passionate but destructive relationship with themes of revenge, obsession, and the haunting Yorkshire moors
Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888)

Louisa May Alcott, drawing from personal experiences including financial struggles and her upbringing in a transcendentalist community, dedicated her life to literature, activism, and social reform. Her timeless novel Little Women has captivated generations and been adapted numerous times for stage, film, and television, including a 2018 movie remake. Through her insightful portrayal of family dynamics, female identity, and societal expectations, Alcott imparts enduring lessons of love, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams.

Popular Works:

  • Little Women (1868) – Coming-of-age novel following the lives of four sisters and their journey through genteel poverty as children into womanhood.
Virginia Woolf (1882–1941)

Virginia Woolf, a pioneering modernist writer, struggled with mental illness throughout her life. However, she leveraged her unique perspective to revolutionize the novel form with her stream-of-consciousness narrative technique. Renowned for her innovative structures and lyrical prose exploring the depths of human consciousness, Woolf also championed women’s higher education and the rights movement. She has now been translated into over 50 languages and commemorated by statues, societies, and a building on the University of London’s campus.

Popular Works:

  • Mrs Dalloway (1925) → A day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway with the inner thoughts of various characters, delving into social conformity and the complexities of human consciousness
  • To the Lighthouse (1927) → The Ramsay family and their guests grapple with the passage of time, grief, and purpose against the backdrop of a remote Scottish island
Agatha Christie (1890–1976)

Agatha Christie, the “Queen of Mystery”, is one of the most prolific and celebrated writers of all time. With over 66 detective novels, 14 short story collections, and the creation of iconic characters such as Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, she is the best-selling author of all tie (besides Shakespeare). Through her intricate puzzles and keen observations of human nature, Christie’s writing delves into the complexities of the human psyche, captivating readers with her timeless mysteries.

Popular Works:

  • And Then There Were None (1939) → Ten strangers are lured to a remote island under false pretenses, only to find themselves accused of past crimes and systematically picked off one by one
  • Murder on the Orient Express (1934) → While aboard the snow-trapped yet luxurious Orient Express, detective Hercule Poirot is faced with a perplexing murder involving a wealthy American businessman and a train full of suspects
  • Read about more Agatha Christie Stories here!
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Harper Lee (1926–2016)

Harper Lee maintained a reclusive existence despite the monumental success of her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Her themes of challenging societal norms and racial justice are inspired by her childhood experiences and observations growing up in Monroeville, Alabama during the 1930s. Lee has received numerous accolades and honorary degrees, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded for her contribution to literature. 

Popular Works:

  • To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) → Young Scout Finch watches her father’s defense of a black man wrongly accused of raping a white woman in the racially charged atmosphere of 1930s Alabama
Toni Morrison (1931–2019)

Toni Morrison’s life was marked by her unyielding commitment to exploring the African-American experience through her writing, activism, and academic pursuits. She reshaped American literature by focusing on the suppressed histories, earning both a Pulitzer Prize and a Nobel Prize. Morrison’s exploration of trauma and identity provides profound insights into the complexities of race, gender, and history in America.

Popular Works:

  • Beloved (1987) → A haunted ex-slave confronts the past when her dead daughter returns, delving into the depths of motherhood and the scars of slavery
  • Song of Solomon (1977) → Milkman Dead embarks on a journey of self-discovery amidst African-American history, folklore, and personal liberation
J.K. Rowling (born 1965)

J.K. Rowling’s journey from personal adversity to literary stardom is a testament to resilience and creativity. Despite facing hardships as a single mother on welfare, she rose to prominence as one of the most influential writers of our time. Her Harry Potter series, which has sold over 500 million copies worldwide, not is not only the best-selling series of all time but also spawned a global phenomenon including films, merchandise, and theme parks. Through her richly imagined wizarding world, Rowling delves into themes of courage, love, and the eternal struggle between good and evil.

Popular Works:

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