Victorian Women Writers Project TimelineCompiled and Encoded ByScott BaconEdited ByMichelle DalmauDigital Library Program, Indiana UniversityBloomington, IN1320 E. 10th St.Bloomington, IN 47405vwwp_chronology
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2010Victorian Women Writers Project Chronology2012
The Victorian Women Writers Project produces literary works by women writers of
the 19th century from Britain and beyond. The works selected include
anthologies, novels, political pamphlets, and volumes of poetry and verse
drama.
This is a born-digital critical introduction, which has been encoded in TEI P5
following the recommendations for Level 3 encoding of the Best Practices for TEI
in Libraries.
This chronology is based on the chronology created for the
Algernon Charles Swinburne
Project.
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The Victorian Women Writers Project Timelime
This table is a timeline showing publications and events in authors' lives
in relation to each other and historical events from the time period 1800 to
1960. The timeline contains three timeline columns: Author History,
Publication History, and Historical Context. If an item is listed in
Publication History, it will contain a link to the publication.DateAuthor HistoryPublication HistoryHistorical Context1801 She dies in 1873.1802 A prominent reformer, she calls for equality
between the sexes, for the abolition of slavery, and for
education reform. She dies in 1876.1808 Her efforts are largely responsible for the
passage of the Infant Custody Bill, which passes in 1839. She
dies in 1877.1812 She dies in 1872. 1821 A native of Scotland; writer, poet, and
advocate for prison reform. She dies in 1899.1822 Journalist, philanthropist, and activist for
women's rights and animal rights. She dies in 1904. Writes on social customs and gender issues.
One of the earliest professional woman journalists. She dies in
1898.1823 A prolific novelist, yet most of her works are
out of print. She dies in 1901.1826 Innovative author of books for both
children and adults. She dies in 1887. A poet, feminist, and Irish folklorist. Mother
of Oscar Wilde. She dies in 1896.1827 She dies in 1918. She dies in 1891.1828 Activist for the poor and for women's
rights. She dies in 1906.1829 Poet, activist, feminist, journalist; helps
establish the English Woman's Journal. She dies in 1925. Wife of William Booth, founder of the
Salvation Army. Known as 'Mother of the Army'. She dies in
1890.1830Norton: The Undying One and Other
Poems.King George IV diesLord Grey succeeds the Duke of Wellington as Prime
Minister1831 The most famous of the 'lady travelers' of the
Victorian Era. She dies in 1904. She dies in 1907.1832Great Reform Act passed (excluded women from voting)Cholera epidemicFriendly Society of Agricultural Labourers founded (Tolpuddle
Martyrs)1833Abolition of slavery in British coloniesFactories Act passed (child labor regulation)1834; Sir
Robert Peel becomes Prime Minister, taking over for Lord
MelbourneFox Talbot produces photographs1835Lord Melbourne is re-elected1836Norton: A Voice From the Factories.University of London founded1837 Famed for her novels written in the
'sensation' genre. She dies in 1915. Writer of dramatic monologue, poetry, and
prose. She dies in 1894.Death of William IVAccession of Queen Victoria to the throneNational Gallery opensDickens: Oliver
Twist published in serial form (book form
in 1838)1838People’s Charter
published by the ChartistsDaguerre perfects the Daguerrotype1839 An eccentric personality, her
exploits often have received more attention than her works. She
dies in 1908.Ellis: The Women of England.Norton: A Plain Letter to the Lord Chancellor on the Infant
Custody Bill.First Opium War (1839-1842)The Newport RisingFox Talbot introduces photographic paper1840 She shocks Victorian sensibilities with her
stories of women in love affairs. She dies in 1920.Ellis: The Sons of the Soil.Norton: The Dream and Other Poems.Queen Victoria marries Prince AlbertHouses of Parliament Reconstruction1841 She dies in 1896.Clive: Nine Poems.Sir Robert Peel becomes Prime Minister (1841-1846)London Library is foundedFox Talbot’s photographic process is patented1842Clive: I Watched the Heavens.New Poor Law enacted (boys under ten and women
could not work in underground mines)Young England group founded1843Dickens: A Christmas
Carol.1844 One of the best-known Australian writers of
her time. She dies in 1926.Factories Act passed1845 Poet, essayist, activist. Recognized as an
anarchist poet. She dies in 1895.Famine in Ireland (1845-1849)1846Norton: The Child of the Islands.Sugar Duties ActImportation Act (repealed the Corn Laws)Lord John Russell becomes Prime Minister1847 Poet, essayist, editor and critic. A prolific
writer, she publishes works on many topics in many forms:
essays, poetry, translations, anthologies. She dies in
1922. She dies in 1929.Clive: The Queen's Ball.Factory Act (Ten Hours Act) passedCholera epidemic (1847-1848)Charlotte Brontë: Jane
Eyre.Emily Brontë: Wuthering
Heights.1848Norton: Letters to the Mob.Public Health Act passedPre-Raphaelite Brotherhood foundedMarx and Engels: The Communist Manifesto.1849Skene: The Inheritance of Evil, Or, the Consequence of
Marrying a Deceased Wife’s
Sister.1850Craik: Olive, Volume 1.Craik: Olive, Volume 2.Craik: Olive, Volume 3.Public Libraries Act passedPope Pius IX restores Roman Catholic hierarchy in
England1851 A prolific writer who
writes novels, plays, and journal articles, among other works.
She dies in 1920.Skene: The Tutor’s Ward, Volume 1.Skene: The Tutor’s Ward, Volume 2.Sheffield Female Political Association foundedThe Great Exhibition (the first World’s Fair)First telegraph cable under the English ChannelSinger invents first practical sewing machine1852 Her novels cause
controversy in their frank portrayals of sexuality and religion.
She dies in 1931.Belloc: Poems.The Victoria and Albert Museum founded1853Clive: The Morlas.Craik: Avillion and Other Tales, Volume
1.Yonge: The Heir of Redclyffe, Volume
1.Yonge: Henrietta's Wish.1854 Part of the New Woman writers, she achieves
notoriety due to her writings on marriage in Victorian times.
She dies in 1932.Bodichon: A Brief Summary in Plain Language of the Most
Important Laws Concerning
Women.Norton: English Laws for Women in the Nineteenth
Century.Crimean War (1854-1856)British Medical Association foundedWorking Men’s College foundedDickens: Hard
Times.1855 A best-selling author worldwide for decades.
She dies in 1924. Author, editor,
playwright, and activist against the oppression of women. She
dies in 1932. A South African native, she writes on
religion, racism, and sexism. She dies in 1920.Norton: A Letter to the Queen on Lord Chancellor
Cranworth’s Marriage and Divorce
Bill.Levy: A Ballad of Religion and
Marriage.Lord Palmerston becomes Prime Minister (1855-1858)1856 Writes works on travel, fantasy, and art
history, among other topics. She dies in 1935.Clive: Paul Ferroll.Second Opium War (1856-1860)Bessemer’s blast furnace permits mass production of
steel1857Indian Rebellion (Indian Mutiny)Matrimonial Causes Act passed (Divorce Act)National Portrait Gallery founded1858 She dies in 1889. One of the most prolific fantasy writers of
her time. She dies in 1924. Feminist, poet, novelist, and short story
writer. She dies in 1920.Clive: Year After Year.Craik: A Woman’s Thoughts About
Women.Fenian Brotherhood foundedJews admitted to ParliamentFirst Trans-Atlantic telegraph cable completed1859 She dies in 1925.Booth: Female Ministry.National Portrait Gallery opensPalmerston becomes Prime Minister again (1859-1865)Darwin: On the Origin of
Species.Mill: On Liberty.Eliot: Adam Bede.1860Clive: Why Paul Ferroll Killed His
Wife.Webster: Blanche Lisle and Other Poems.First woman enrolled at Royal Academy schoolsFlorence Nightingale publishes first definitive nursing
textbookNightingale:
Suggestions for Thought to Searchers after
Religious Truth. (printed privately, an
early feminist work of importance)1861 American poet and essayist. She dies in
1920.. Only writes for ten years, but is prolific within that time.
Commits suicide at the age of 27.Booth: Female Teaching.Prince Albert diesAbraham Lincoln becomes United States President
(1861-1865)American Civil War (1861-1865)Emancipation of serfs in Russia1862 Novelist, playwright, actress. She dies in
1952.Braddon: Lady Audley's Secret, Volume
1.Braddon: Lady Audley's Secret, Volume
2.Braddon: Lady Audley's Secret, Volume
3.1863Belloc: Ballads and Songs.Cobbe: The Red Flag in John Bull’s
Eyes.Red Cross foundedFirst underground railway opens in London1864, birth
and death dates unknown, publishes a guide to aid women in
gaining financial acumen. Banker's Daughter: Guide to the Unprotected in Every-day Matters
Relating to Property and
Income.Clive: John Greswold, Volume 1.Clive: John Greswold, Volume 2.Webster: Lilian Gray: a Poem.Contagious Disease Act passed1865Skene: Penitentiaries and
Reformatories.Slavery formally abolished in the United StatesJohn Stuart Mill elected MP on supporting women’s
suffrageWomen’s Suffrage Committee formed in ManchesterAntiseptic surgery established by Lister (initially named the
East London Christian Mission) by William BoothCarroll: Alice in
Wonderland.1866Bodichon: Objections to the Enfranchisement of Women
Considered.Craik: Poems.Norton: The Lady of La Garaye.Webster: Dramatic Studies.Lord Derby becomes Prime Minister (1866-1868)Hyde Park riotsSwinburne: Poems and
Ballads.1867Blind: Poems by Claude Lake.Broughton: Cometh Up as a Flower, Volume
1.Broughton: Cometh Up as a Flower, Volume
2.Taylor: The Claim of Englishwomen to the Suffrage
Constitutionally Considered.Webster: A Woman Sold.Second Reform Act passedNational Society for Women’s Suffrage forms in the UKFenian rising in Ireland1868 Her novels contain candid portayals of
sexuality and psychology. She dies in 1952.Butler: The Education and Employment of
Women. Gladstone becomes Prime
Minister (1868-1874)First Annual Trades Union Congress held in ManchesterLast public execution held1869Cobbe: Criminals, Idiots, Women and
Minors.Girton College founded (first residential women’s college in
England)Suez Canal opensMill: The Subjection of
Women.1870Cobbe: Our Policy: An Address to Women Concerning the
Suffrage.Webster: Portraits.Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871)Elementary Education Act (Forster’s Education Act)
passedFirst Married Women’s Property Act passedFirst School Board elections1871Wilde: Poems.Trade Union Act passed (legalized trade unions in UK for first
time)Criminal Law Amendment Act passedNewnham College founded (second women’s college)Paris Commune (first workers government to assume
power)Publication completed of Encyclopedia Britannica (began
1768)Carroll: Through the
Looking-Glass.1872Bodichon: Reasons For and Against the Enfranchisement of
Women.Clive: Poems.Craik: The Adventures of a Brownie.Linton: The True History of Joshua
Davidson.Ouida: A Dog of Flanders and Other
Stories.Ballot Act passedEliot: Middlemarch.1873The Long Depression begins in Britain (1873-1896)Public Health ActChristopher Sholes invents the Remington typewriter1874Butler: Some Thoughts on the Present Aspect of the Crusade
Against the State Regulation of
Vice.Keary, E.: Little Seal-skin.Disraeli becomes Prime Minister (1874-1880)Impressionists’ first exhibition in Paris1875Bird: The Hawaiian Archipelago.Cambridge: The Manor House and Other
Poems.Craik: The Little Lame Prince and His Travelling
Cloak.Ouida: Signa, Volume 1.Ouida: Signa, Volume 2.Ouida: Signa, Volume 3.Public Health ActSanitary Authorities establishedConspiracy and Protection of Property Act (peaceful picketing
allowed)Employers and Workmen Act passed1876 A
prominent reformer, she calls for equality between the sexes,
for the abolition of slavery, and for education reform.Queen Victoria becomes Empress of IndiaAlexander Graham Bell patents the telephoneBulgarian atrocities1877 Her efforts are largely responsible for the
passage of the Infant Custody Bill, which passes in 1839.Cobbe: Why Women Desire the
Franchise.Martineau: Harriet Martineau's Autobiography, Volume
1.Edison invents the phonograph1878 (protecting
women and children from exploitationLondon University admits women on equal terms1879Bevington: Key-notes.Booth: Papers on Practical Religion.Butler: Social Purity.Electric street lighting begins in LondonEdison invents the electric light bulbAnglo-Zulu WarIrish Land League founded1880Booth: Papers on Aggressive
Christianity.Gladstone becomes Prime Minister again (1880-1885)First Boer War (1880-1881)Bradlaugh dispute over right of MP to affirm1881Bird: A Lady's Life in the Rocky
Mountains.Blind: The Prophecy of Saint Oran and Other
Poems.Levy: Xantippe and Other Verse.Ouida: A Village Commune, Volume 1.Ouida: A Village Commune, Volume 2.Webster: A Book of Rhyme.Natural History Museum opens to the public1882Bevington: Poems, Lyrics, and Sonnets.Royal Courts of Justice opened by Queen VictoriaSecond Married Women’s Property Act passed1883Blind: George Eliot.Ouida: Folle-Farine.Schreiner: The Story of an African Farm, Volume
1.Schreiner: The Story of an African Farm, Volume
2.Skene: The Shadow of the Holy Week.Expansion of Married Women’s Property ActRoyal College of Music founded1884Booth: The Iniquity of State Regulated
Vice.Lee: Miss Brown, Volume 1.Lee: Miss Brown, Volume 2.Lee: Miss Brown, Volume 3.Webster: Daffodil and the Croäxaxicans.Representation of the People Act passed (Third Reform
Act)Arnold Toynbee coins the term ‘Industrial Revolution’Society of Authors founded in BritainSocialist League founded in Britain1885Blind: Tarantella, Volume 1.Blind: Tarantella, Volume 2.Linton: The Autobiography of Christopher Kirkland, Volume
1.Linton: The Autobiography of Christopher Kirkland, Volume
2.Linton: The Autobiography of Christopher Kirkland, Volume
3.Housing of the Working Classes Act passedRedistribution of Seats Act passedLord Salisbury becomes Prime Minister (1885-1892)1886Blind: The Heather on Fire.Blind: Shelley's View of Nature Contrasted With
Darwin's.Corelli: A Romance of Two Worlds, Volume
1.Corelli: A Romance of Two Worlds, Volume
2.Nesbit: Lays and Legends.Daimler patents high-speed internal combustion engine1887 Innovative author of books for both children
and adults.Queen Victoria’s Golden JubileeBloody SundayDoyle: A Study in
Scarlet. (first appearance of Sherlock
Holmes)1888Booth: Popular Christianity.Butler: Mrs. Butler’s Appeal to the Women of
America.Butler: The New Godiva.London Match Girls’ StrikeFirst Arts and Crafts Guild exhibitionHertz produces radio waves1889Only writes
for ten years, but is prolific within that time. Commits suicide
at the age of 27.Blind: The Ascent of Man.Levy: A London Plane-Tree and Other
Verse.Skene: Scenes from a Silent World.Women's Franchise League foundedLondon Dock StrikeFirst Kodak camera using roll film manufactured1890 Wife of William Booth, founder of the
Salvation Army. Known as 'Mother of the Army'.Bevington: Common-Sense Country.Cobbe: Vivisection in America.Lee: Hauntings.Frazer: The Golden
Bough.Booth: In Darkest
England.Morris: News from
Nowhere.1891Bevington: Dame Nature's Dumb Sermon.Blind: Dramas in Miniature.Levy: A Minor Poet and Other Verse.Radford: A Light Load.Kelmscott Press founded by William MorrisThe Newcastle Programme passed (Liberal reforms)Elementary schooling made free for all childrenWilde: Picture of Dorian
Gray.New Zealand grants women voting rights (first country to do
so)1892Corelli: The Soul of Lilith, Volume 1.Corelli: The Soul of Lilith, Volume 2.Corelli: The Soul of Lilith, Volume 3.Lee: Vanitas.Gladstone returns as Prime Minister (1892-1894)Rudolf Diesel invents the Diesel engine1893Blind: Songs and Sonnets.Dixon: My Flirtations.Guiney: A Roadside Harp.Schreiner: Dream Life and Real Life.Independent Labour party founded1894 Writer
of dramatic monologue, poetry, and prose.Bevington: The Why I Ams.Caird: The Daughters of Danaus.Dixon: The Story of a Modern Woman.Naden: The Complete Poetical Works of Constance
Naden.Steel: The Potter's Thumb, Volume 1.Steel: The Potter's Thumb, Volume 2.Steel: The Potter's Thumb, Volume 3.Ward: Marcella, Volume 1.Ward: Marcella, Volume 2.Wilde:
Salome.(published in English)Lord Salisbury again becomes Prime Minister (1895-1902)1895
Poet, essayist, activist. Recognized as an anarchist
poet.Belloc: In a Walled Garden.Bevington: An Anarchist Manifesto.Bevington: Chiefly a Dialogue.Bevington: Liberty Lyrics.Blind: Birds of Passage.Caird: The Sanctuary of Mercy.Cross: The Woman Who Didn't.Nesbit: A Pomander of Verse.Radford: Songs and Other Verses.Ward: The Story of Bessie Costrell.Webster: Mother and Daughter.Roentgen discovers X-rays1896 Mother
of Oscar Wilde, was a poet and feminist, and Irish
folklorist.Bevington: Anarchism and Violence.Corelli: The Mighty Atom.Malet: The Carissima.Meynell: The Rhythm of Life.Nesbit: In Homespun.Schreiner: The Political Situation.Marconi patents wireless telegraph1897Butler: Truth Before Everything.Caird: Beyond the Pale.Cambridge: At Midnight.Lee: Limbo and other Essays.Schreiner: Trooper Peter Halket of
Mashonaland.Skene: A Test of the Truth.Queen Victoria’s Diamond JubileeFounding of the Tate GalleryStoker: Dracula.1898
Writes on social customs and gender issues. One of the earliest
professional woman journalists.Corelli: The Modern Marriage Market.Nesbit: Songs of Love and Empire.Schreiner: Dreams.1899 Scottish
writer, poet, and advocate for prison reform.Cholmondeley: Red Pottage.Nesbit: The Story of the Treasure
Seekers.Second Boer War (1899-1902)Ruskin College, Oxford foundedAspirin patented1900Butler: Native Races and the War.British Labour Party founded1901
Prolific novelist, yet most of her works are out of
print.Corelli: The Passing of the Great
Queen.Malet: The History of Sir Richard
Calmady.Nesbit: The Wouldbegoods.Queen Victoria dies (minimum
working age, worker education, increased safety)1902Nesbit: Five Children and It.Nesbit: The Red House.Coronation of Edward VIIBalfour becomes Prime Minister (1902-1905)1903Wright brothers make first powered airplane flight1904 The
most famous of the 'lady travelers' of the Victorian Era
Journalist, philanthropist, and activist for women's rights and
animal rights.Dixon: One Doubtful Hour.Radford: Sea-Thrift.Radford: The Young Gardeners' Kalendar.1905Campbell: The Rainbow and the Rose.Radford: In Summer-Time.Campbell-Bannerman becomes Prime Minister (1905-1908)1906 Activist for the poor and for women's
rights.Corelli: The Treasure of Heaven.Nesbit: The Incomplete Amorist.Nesbit: The Railway Children.Nesbit: The Story of the Amulet.1907Nesbit: The Enchanted Castle.Radford: A Ballad of Victory and Other
Poems.1908 (aka Marie
Louise de la Ramee) An eccentric personality, her exploits often
have received more attention than her works.Lee: Gospels of Anarchy and Other Contemporary
Studies.Nesbit: Ballads and Lyrics of
Socialism.Asquith becomes Prime Minister (1908-1915)Henry Ford mass-produces the Model T automobile1909Nesbit: These Little Ones.Robins: Votes for Women.Schreiner: A Closer Union.Ward: Daphne, or Marriage a la Mode.Opening of main entrance of Victoria and Albert Museum
(designed by Aston Webb)1910Radford: Poems.1913Cambridge: The Hand in the Dark and Other
Poems.1914, birth and death dates unknown,
publishes a collection of children's verses.Keary, M.: Enchanted Tulips and Other Verses for
Children.1915
Famed for her novels written in the 'sensation' genre.1916Ward: England's Effort.1917Meynell: Hearts of Controversy.19181920
Shocked Victorian sensibilities with her stories of women in
love affairs.
American poet and essayist.
Feminist, poet, novelist, and short story writer. A
South African native, she wrote on religion, racism, and
sexism. (nee
Mary Augusta Arnold) A prolific writer who wrote novels, plays,
and journal articles, among other works.1922 Poet, essayist, editor and critic. A prolific
writer, she published works on many topics in many forms:
essays, poetry, translations, anthologies.Nesbit: Many Voices.1923Schreiner: Stories, Dreams and
Allegories.1924 Was a
best-selling author for decades. One of
the most prolific fantasy writers of her time.1925
Poet, activist, feminist, journalist. Helped establish the
English Woman's Journal.1926 One of
the best-known Australian writers of her time.1928Schreiner: Undine.19291931 (aka Mary
St. Leger Kingsley Harrison) Her novels were controversial in
their frank portrayals of sexuality and religion.1932 Part of the
New Woman writers, she achieved notoriety due to her writings on
marriage in Victorian times. Author, editor, playwright, and activist
against the oppression of women.1935 Wrote on
travel, fantasy, and art history, among other topics.1952 Her
novels contained candid portayals of sexuality and
psychology.
Novelist, playwright, actress.
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http://www.dur.ac.uk/alan.heesom/chronology.htm Dictionary of Literary Biography. Dictionary of
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