Iconic Women

Female authors have been a driving force behind the creation and development of literature throughout history. From the challenges and triumphs of everyday life to rewriting the narrative and culture of the world around them, these women used words to change society for the better. With that in mind, here are 5 female authors everyone should know.

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1. Jane Austen

Jane Austen was a novelist who wrote about love, family, and society with a sharp wit and a clear eye. Her most well-known novels, including Pride and Prejudice and Emma, depict the struggles and romantic entanglements of women in her era with wit and elegance. Austen’s keen social observations and enduring characters have made her a beloved and influential figure in English literature.

From a watercolour by James Andrews of Maidenhead based on an unfinished work by Cassandra Austen. Engraving by William Home Lizars. on Wikimedia

2. Mary Shelley

The novelist who wrote one of the most famous books, Frankenstein, was none other than Mary Shelley. The book is considered one of the first works of science fiction ever written. She wrote the book when she was 18 years old, and it focused on themes of science, life, and responsibility. Her novel has been the basis for numerous films, books, and discussions on what it means to be human.

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3. Virginia Woolf

Virginia Woolf was one of the most influential authors and modernist novelists of the 20th century. She developed new literary forms alongside her use of interior monologue and stream of consciousness. Her works include Mrs Dalloway and A Room of One's Own and center on questions of identity, consciousness, and women's roles in society.

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4. Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison was an American novelist, essayist, editor, and teacher. She wrote about African American culture and experience, weaving themes of love, suffering, and the quest for freedom into her work. Morrison's novels, such as Beloved and The Bluest Eye, are celebrated for their vivid storytelling and emotional depth, which inevitably led to Morrison being awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

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5. Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie was a British novelist who wrote popular mystery novels that have been read by millions of people around the world. Her novels often featured ingenious sleuths, such as Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, who used clever and unexpected methods to solve crimes. Christie's works have helped her become the best-selling novelist of all time.

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