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Fanny Burney born
Burney's mother died when she was 10 and Burney's older sisters were favored by her father for their intelligence and beauty. Burney was believed to have been dyslexic and did not read until age 8. Anonymously published her first novel, "Evelina" in 1778 without knowledge or permission of her father. The book recieved accolades from critics inclusding Edmund Burke and Dr. Samuel Johnson. She paved the way for other female authors. -
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Fanny Burney Madame D'Arblay
Novelist, diarist and playwright. -
Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft born. Moral, philosophical and gender theorist. Mother of Mary Shelley and Fanny Imlay. -
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Mary Wollstonecraft
Author. Moral, political and gender theorist. Mother of Mary Shelley and Fanny Imlay. -
Susanna Musgrove Haswell Rowson born
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Susanna Musgrove Haswell Rowson
British-American writer. Novelist, essayist, playwritght, poet. Also founded on of Boston's first girl's boarding schools, Rowson's Academy for Young Ladies. She wrote textbooks for math, geography, and history among others. -
Ann Ward Radcliffe born
Often considered the Mother of Gothic literature, Ann was born to a haberdasher. She married journalist William Radcliffe who was part-owner of the "English Chronicle". Radcliffe began writing to occupy her time. -
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Ann Radcliffe, gothic author
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"Evelina: Or the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World"
Burney's humorous romance in the epistolary style about the illegitimate daughter of an aristocrat raised in obscurity. She enters society and wins the love of an honorable nobleman. -
Charlotte, A Tale of Truth (Rowson)
First British publication of "Charlotte" -
"Vindication of the Rights of Woman"
Argues that women need to be educated. As mothers, they are essential to the nation and need knowledge commensurate with that responsibility. -
Charlotte Temple (Rowson) Published in America
America's first best-seller, this novel tells the story of 15 year-old Charlotte who is seduced in England, betrayed by her lover and abandoned in America. She gives birth to his child, goes mad and dies. The sequel, published posthumously, tells the fate of Charlotte's child, Lucy Temple. -
"Mysteries of Udolpho" Radcliffe
The archeypal Gothic Novel which follows the harrowing adventures of Emily St. Aubert in gloomy settings. Following the death of her father, Emily is imprisoned at the castle Udolpho by the brigand Signor Montoni. Romance with Valancourt, a noble young man. Psychological and physical terror. -
Camilla: or, a Picture of Youth (Burney)
Another comedic romance by Burney about the trials of young love and true love revolving around Camilla Tyrold, her sisters and friend. -
The Italian, or the Confessional of the Black Penitents (Radcliffe)
In Naples, 1758 Vincentio di Vivaldi falls in love with beautiful Ellena di Rosalba. Vivaldi's mother, the cruel Marchessa hires her evil confessor, Father Schedoni, to kidnap Ellena to prevent the marriage and promote him in the monastary. -
Mary Wollstonecraft dies of complications giving birth to Mary Shelley
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"Maria: or, the Wrongs of Woman" (Wollstonecraft)
Pubished posthumously by husband William Godwin, generally considered Wollstonecraft's most radical work. It tell the story of a woman betrayed by an abusive husband and falsely imprisoned in an insane asylum. -
Burney's Masectomy Letter about her surgery without anesthesia.
Fanny Burney underwent a masectomy without anesthesia and writes a harrowing letter to her sister where she graphically describes the procedure. -
The Wanderer; or, Female Difficulties (Burney)
Burney's last novel, it took her fourteen years to write. The heroine is an unknown, a castaway washed up on British shores. She must hide her identity and is Everywoman yet No-woman. She must survive without friends in an environment hostile to women. The novel was roundly trashed due to its portrayal of women and criticsm of society. -
Susanna Rowson dies
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Fanny Burney Dies
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Ann Radcliffe Dies
Some accounts claim Radcliffe died insane while her husband cited the cause of death as asthma.
