"Strengthen the female mind by enlarging it, and there will be an end to blind obedience."
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (ed. 1793)

British writer, philosopher, and advocate of women's rights Mary Wollstonecraft was born #OTD in 1759. In "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" (1792), Wollstonecraft argued that women are not naturally inferior to men but appear so only because of a lack of education.

Books by Mary Wollstonecraft at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/84

#books #literature

Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes died #OTD in 1616.

Much of his life was spent in relative poverty and obscurity, which led to many of his early works being lost. His literary career is noted for several works, although "Don Quijote" remains his most celebrated:
La Galatea (1585), Don Quijote, Part I (1605), Novelas Ejemplares (1613), Don Quijote, Part II (1615),
Los Trabajos de Persiles y Sigismunda (1617).

Books by Miguel de Cervantes at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/505

#books #literature

Danish author Karen Blixen was born #OTD in 1885. She is also known under her pen names Isak Dinesen, Tania Blixen, Osceola, and Pierre Andrézel.

Blixen is best known for Out of Africa (1937), an account of her life while in Kenya, and for one of her stories, Babette's Feast (1950). She is also noted for her Seven Gothic Tales (1934), Winter's Tales (1942), Last Tales (1957), Anecdotes of Destiny (1958) and Ehrengard (1963).

#books #literature

Did you know, April is National Poetry Month?

The Fediverse isn't short of poetic talent. If you're looking for some poetry to brighten your feed, check out @brianbilston or @bookgaga

Or if you want to create, why not grab a Haiku prompt from @dailyhaikuprompt and share your creation with our Books & Literature Community using #poetry

You can see the full Books & Literature Community on the Newsmast app: https://newsmast.org/communities/status/books_literature

#newsmast #fediverse #literature #poet #haiku

French philosopher, an influential early socialist thinker, and one of the founders of utopian socialism Charles Fourier was born #OTD in 1772.

He developed a comprehensive system of societal organization known as Fourierism which influenced many writers and thinkers such as Dostoevsky, André Breton, Walter Benjamin, Herbert Marcuse and many others. He is is credited with having originated the word feminism in 1837.

About Fourier at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/search/?query=charles+fourier&submit_search=Go%21

#books #literature #philosophy

English novelist and poet Charlotte Brontë died #OTD in 1855.

She is best known for her novel Jane Eyre, which she published under the gender neutral pen name Currer Bell. Along with "Jane Eyre," her other notable works include "Shirley" (1849) and "Villette" (1853). Brontë's writing is celebrated for its exploration of social issues, particularly the role of women in Victorian society.

Books by Charlotte Brontë at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/408

#books #literature #poetry

Dutch Post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh was born #OTD in 1853.

During his short and tumultuous life, van Gogh produced a vast body of work, including over 2,000 paintings, drawings, and sketches. Some of his most famous paintings include "The Starry Night," "Sunflowers," and "Irises." His art often reflects his emotional struggles, including his battles with mental illness and feelings of isolation.

Books by Van Gogh at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/40599

#books #art #literature