Harriet Martineau

2 Pages 594 Words

An early nineteenth century novelist, journalist, social reformer, educator, children’s writer, philospher of naturalism, environmentalist, social scientist, and pioneering feminist, Harriet Martineau published over fifty books and almost two thousand articles and newspaper columns. The extreme nature of her spoken ideas conjured recurring abuse and created numerous enemies she was still liked, admired, and even worshiped by many.
As a girl growing up in the 1800’s formal study was almost non-existent. Private study even for a sophisticated middle-class Unitarian family such as hers had to be brought about secretly behind ones back. Do to a shortage of students she was allowed to accompany her brothers to a boys school. This would go on for two years before being put to a stop. After which she was on her own to achieve the knowledge that she thirsted for but was being denied because of her sex. “I had no self respect,” she recalled, “And an unbounded need for approbation and affection. My capacity for jealousy was something frightful.”

^ When the family finances deteriorated it was assumed that Harriet would assume responsibilities for the mother, disabled younger sister, and the brother who was an alcoholic. She was only able to write when the sun had gone down after she had completed her daily responsibilities. The Unitarian journal Monthly Repository published a number of her early essays.
^ She seemed to have been treated fairly by the Unitarian journal, however, she later came across a religious publisher who seized control of her early stories, changed and used them without her consent, knowledge, or restitution. The autobiography on her life and work was meant to be a serious publication, she exhibited faults, modesty, nor a lady like reluctance when expressing her strong opinions. She had the audacity to write with authority on topics meant for men alone.
Martineau might p...