Elaine Showalter

In 1977, Showalter published A Literature of Their Own: British Women Novelists from Bronte to Lessing. It was one of the most influential works in feminist criticism, as it sought to establish a distinctive tradition for women writers. In later essays, Showalter helped to develop a clearly articulated feminist theory with two major branches: the special study of works by women and the study of all literature from a feminist perspective. In all of her recent writing, Showalter has sought to illuminate a "cultural model of female writing," distinguishable from male models and theories. Her role as editor bringing together key contemporary feminist criticism has been extremely influential on modern literary study. (Bowker Author Biography) Elaine Showalter is chairperson of the department of English at Princeton University & the author of "A Literature of Their Own" & "Sexual Anarchy". A frequent contributor & book reviewer for American magazines & British newspapers, including the "London Times Literary Supplement", she also has written television reviews for "People". Showalter lives in Princeton, New Jersey. (Bowker Author Biography) — biography from A Literature of Their Own: From Charlotte Bronte to Doris Lessing… (more)