There have been a plethora of incredibly gifted female authors who have greatly influenced the world of literature with their works and the characters they created in their books.
It almost feels like a crime to leave out so many revolutionary authors and their profound works, but, alas, we possibly can’t write the world’s longest article today. Someday soon though!
Today, on the eve of International Women’s Day, we pay homage to these five wonderful writers and their monumental impact on the literary history.
Mary Shelley (1797-1851)
Famous for her iconic creation of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley was the definition of being multi-talented and excelling at every thing you do. She was a biographer, dramatist, essayist and a travel writer.
Her works were influenced by historical and gothic genres. Other popular works include Mathilda, The Last Man and Rambles in Germany and Italy.
Toru Dutt (1856-1877)
Despite having lived around 150 years ago, Toru Dutt is still regarded among the most prominent Indian poets to date. Her poem Our Casuarina Tree is a part of the classics in modern English literature.
She wrote in English and French with two of her translated works being the most sought after- a French volume of poems into English and a collection of Sanskrit translations to English.
Edith Wharton (1862-1937)
Writing 40 books in 40 years is no easy feat but that’s exactly what Edith Wharton did. Her topics ranged from architecture and gardens to interior design and travel.
Widely regarded one of the greatest American writers, she is best known for her novel The Age of Innocence which made her the first woman in history to win The Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1921.
Agatha Christie (1890-1976)
With over 2 billion copies sold, Agatha Christie takes a place in the Guinness World Records for being the best-selling novelist of all time.
Her two characters, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, have been immortalised in time through her collosal collection of 66 detective novels and 14 short stories. Her works have also been adapted into various plays and television shows.
Maya Angelou (1928-2014)
A revolutionary civil rights activist, memoirist and poet, Maya Angelou was the recipient of more than 50 honorary degrees. Her pioneering autobiographical style of writing gave her works a unique kind of aura.
When her screenplay Georgia,Georgia was made into a movie, she became the first African-American woman to have a screenplay made into a movie. The critically acclaimed I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, the first of her seven astounding autobiographies, received International recognition and prizes.
All images via Getty Images
Written by Sparsh Paul
