Even (Three) More Novels Inspired by Real 18th-Century Women

 Women's History Month: A month celebrating women of history! I will be posting media and book recommendations, highlighting women from (mostly) the 18th century, and otherwise sharing content with an emphasis on women in history.

Even (Three) More Novels Inspired by Real 18th-Century Women

  Looking for a good book? If you're looking to dive into novels about real 18th-century women, you're in luck: this list is now my third list on novels inspired by the lives and times of real women living in the 18th century. If you've already checked out lists one and two, take a look at the list below for something else to add to your to-read pile!

The Doctor's Wife by Sawako Ariyoshi
Inspiration: Kae Seishū (1760–1827)

The Doctor's Wife focuses on Kae Seishū, the wife of Hanaoka Seishū, an 18th-century Japanese surgeon whose experiments with surgery and anesthesia led him to eventually become the first known physician in the world to perform breast cancer surgery using a general anesthetic. Kae's mother-in-law also plays a role, and although the novel does introduce a fictional conflict between the two women, its emphasis on their role--and sacrifice--in Seishū's work is a core theme of the work.

 

In Mozart's Shadow: Nannerl's Story by Carolyn Meyer
Inspiration: Maria Anna Mozart (1751-1829)

In Mozart's Shadow: Nannerl's Story explores the overlooked story of Maria Anna Mozart, the "other Mozart; her own musical skills and eventually her entire life were forever overshadowed by her prolific brother's work and lasting impact on the world. 

The Game of Hope by Sandra Gulland
Inspiration: Hortense de Beauharnais (1783-1837)

Set at the end of the 18th century, 'The Game of Hope' focuses on the life of the teenage Hortense de Beauharnais--daughter of Josephine de Beauharnais and stepdaughter of Napoleon Bonaparte--as she navigates an uncertain future.

4 (More) Novels Inspired by Real 18th-Century Women

Women's History Month: A month celebrating women of history! I will be posting media and book recommendations, highlighting women from (mostly) the 18th century, and otherwise sharing content with an emphasis on women in history.

4 (More) Novels Inspired by Real 18th-Century Women

If you've already read these 5 novels based on real 18th-century women and are looking for something different, check out these new (and old) novels based on the real lives and times of women living in the 18th century.

The Stargazer's Sister: A Novel by Carrie Brown 

Inspiration: Caroline Herschel (1750-1848)

The Stargazer's Sister: A Novel explores the life of Caroline Hershel, her extensive work alongside her brother, and the marriage that caused her once assured place in her brother's life (and alongside him in the conservatory) to be shaken.

Finding Emilie by Laurel Corona 

Inspiration: Lili and Émilie du Châtelet (1706-1749)

 The real Émilie du Châtelet died several days after giving birth, and her daughter Lili died before she was 2. In Finding Emilie, Laurel Corona has imagined what life might be have been for Lili, had she survived into adulthood, accompanied by excerpts from her mother Émilie's past.

Becoming Lisette by Rebecca Glenn 

Inspiration: Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun (1755-1842)

 Becoming Lisette is a fictionalized look at the youth and career of Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun, from her early youth through her rise in fame as the favorite painter of Marie Antoinette.

The Lost Queen by Norah Lofts 

Inspiration: Princess Caroline-Matilda (1751-1775)

The Lost Queen is based on the tumultuous life of Caroline-Matilda, whose marriage to Christian VII led to a secret affair, behind the scenes political machinations, and ultimately disaster.

Women's History Month: 5 Portraits of 18th-Century Ballerinas

Women's History Month: A month celebrating women of history! I will be posting media and book recommendations, highlighting women from (mostly) the 18th century, and otherwise sharing content with an emphasis on women in history. 

5 Portraits of 18th-Century Ballerinas

18th-century ballerinas did not yet rule the stage as they would come to do just a few decades later, but as the foundations of modern classical ballet began to take root in the 1700s, so did the presence of female dancers who found themselves the subject of fame-boosting public acclaim, scathing critics, and even amorous royalty. Let's take a look at 5 portraits of 18th-century ballerinas who made their mark on the stage over 200 years ago.

A portrait of Caterina Gattai Tomatis by Marcello Bacciarelli, circa 1780.

Caterina Gattai Tomatis (1747-1792) was an Italian ballerina who made her debut in Venice and would later become a prima ballerina at the Royal Opera in Warsaw. During her time at the ballet, she became the mistress of Stanisław II, a position which would continue on-and-off again until at least 1778. She retired from dancing upon her marriage to Carlo Alessandro Tomatis in 1766, just six short years after her ballet debut.

A painting of Françoise Prévost as Bacchante by Jean Raoux, circa 1723

Françoise Prévost  (c.1680-1741) was a French ballerina whose unique dramatic work helped to pave the way for the development of ballet d'action and other emotional, more independent styles of ballet dance during the mid-to-late 18th century.. Prévost, whose students included Marie Sallé and Marie-Anne de Cupis de Camargo, is best known for a famous solo she choreographed in 174 called 'Les Caracteres de la Danse,' which she later taught to her students. Prévost retired as a première danseuse for the Paris Opera in 173.

A portrait of by Marie Sallé Maurice Quentin de La Tour, circa 1741-1742.

Marie Sallé (1707-1756) was a  French ballerina whose then-unusual takes on ballet costume and scenic design made a lasting impact on the development of ballet as an independent art form. Sallé also challenged the male-dominated world of dance in numerous ways, most visibly by creating and giving substantial roles to female dancers and helping to popularize costumes which did less to restrict movement than typical ballerina costumes of the time.Sallé performed with various ballet companies throughout her career and made history in 1734 with her rendition of Pygmalion, marking her as the first female choreographer to also dance in a piece she created. 

Portrait detail from La Camargo Dancing by Nicholas Lancret, circa 1730.

Marie-Anne de Cupis de Camargo (1710-1770) was one of the most distinct French ballerinas of her era; after her debut at the Paris Opera in 1726, she became the first female ballerina to ever execute a  entrechat quatre. She also championed changes in ballerina's costumes, foregoing the typical heavy full gowns and replacing them with lighter fabrics and shorter lengths; she also popularized the use of satin slippers over heeled shoes. Camargo's popularity inspired jealousy in her teacher, and Prévost demoted her to corps de ballet--a demotion which was overturned shortly after when Camargo stepped in for a missing male dancer and saved the performance with an improvised solo. Camargo appeared in a total of 78 operas during her lifetime; she finally retired fully from the stage in 1751.

A colored engraving of Mademoiselle Parisot after Arthur William Devis, circa 1797.

Mademoiselle Parisot (c.1775-after 1837) was a French ballerina who became well known for her scandalous costumes and dances which inspired criticism--and acclaim--in Britain.. Her given name and family is not exactly known, as she was known only as Mademoiselle Parisot after the launch of her London career. She made her debut, aged 14, at the Theatre de Monsieur in December 1789; her father (believed by the V&A museum to be journalist Pierre-Germain Pariseau, who was guillotined) died in 1794, and afterward Parisot moved to London. Her debut was reviewed favorably bycritics, who noted her balance technique was "positively magical, for her person was almost horizontal while turning as a pivot on her toe." Parisot became well known for her leg-accentuating costumes, sometimes even implementing neoclassical costumes which exposed or nearly exposed one breast. The response of the British House of Lords to Parisot's performances did not reflect the audience's warm applause and critical praise: in 1798, the Bishop of London criticized the rise of "female dancers who, by the allurement of the most indecent attitudes and most wanton theatrical exhibitions succeeded ... in loosening and corrupting the moral feelings of people." After this, dancers were required to stop wearing flesh-toned dresses and ballet performances were no longer allowed to go on past midnight. In 1805, one of Parisot's performances caused a riot--not because of its risque content, but because the theater manager drew the curtain before her dance was completed, in order to comply with the midnight curfew. Furious audience members "threw all the chairs out of the boxes into the pit, tore up the benches, destroyed the chandeliers, jumped into the orchestra, smashed the piano forte and broke all the instruments of the poor unoffending performers." Parisot retired from the stage in 1807.

Women's History Month: 6 Historical Films Inspired by Real Life 18th-Century Women

Women's History Month: A month celebrating women of history! I will be posting media and book recommendations, highlighting women from (mostly) the 18th century, and otherwise sharing content with an emphasis on women in history. 

6 Historical Films Inspired by Real-Life 18th-Century Women

There is no end to the real-life events, stories and people that may inspire writers, directors and film producers. Historical genre films have been a staple of the film industry since its inception, and if the success of many period films is any indication, it's not a genre that will disappear anytime soon. I've compiled a list of some of my favorite historical films inspired by real-life 18th century women and their stories. Pop some popcorn, turn down the lights, and enjoy!

 L'Anglaise et le duc (2001)

L'Anglaise et le duc (English title: The Lady and the Duke) is inspired by the experiences of Gracie Elliot, a Scottish woman who became the mistress of the duc de Orleans in the years leading up to the French Revolution; her actions and eventual arrest during the French Revolution form the basis of her posthumously published (and highly colorful) memoir, "Journal of My Life During the French Revolution." This film focuses on Elliot's experiences during the Reign of Terror and features an intriguing aesthetic inspired by contemporary paintings which gives the film a memorable and distinct look.

Belle (2013)

Belle is inspired by the real life of Dido Elizabeth Belle, who was born the daughter of an enslaved African woman and a British naval officer. Belle was taken by her father to England when she was only 4 years old and left in the care of his uncle and aunt, who raised her as a free woman in their aristocratic household. The film interprets Belle's coming-of-age through the an emphasis on the infamous Zong Massacre ruling, over which her uncle presided; the film does play rather fast and loose with the historical timeline, it features some excellent performances, beautiful visuals, and a look at an often-ignored element of British history.

The Duchess (2008)

The Duchess is inspired by the life of Georgiana Cavendish, the Duchess of Devonshire, one of the most well-known English socialites and icons of her era. The duchess of Devonshire's strained marriage, her affair with Charles Grey and the dynamics between the duchess, her husband and Elizabeth Foster form the basis of the film's dramatically driven story. A particularly emotional performance from Keira Knightley is the highlight of the film, although the gorgeous costumes are certainly something you won't want to miss, either.

Mozart's Sister (2010)

Nannerl, la sœur de Mozart (English Title: Mozart's Sister) is inspired by the life of Maria Anna Mozart, the elder sister to Amadeus Mozart. "Loosely inspired" is definitely key here, for the premise of the film focuses on an invented relationship between Maria Anna (nicknamed Nannerl) and Louise de France, the lonely13-year old daughter of Louis XV. Through this friendship, Nannerl connects with the Dauphin of France, who encourages her interest in music (and perhaps, something more) even as her father forbids her to carry her career further than singing and harpsichord playing to bring in income for her family. If you're looking for an accurate depiction of Maria Anna's life, this isn't it--like Belle, it plays with historical facts and timelines to present a constructive look at the place of women in 18th-century society. The end result is a satisfying--if loosely accurate--film.

Marie Antoinette (2006)

Does Marie Antoinette really need an introduction here? Well, just in case: It's a highly stylized, modernized take on the life of Marie Antoinette from her earliest days at Versailles until the fateful October Days of 1789 that resulted in the royal family's forcible removal to Paris, marking the end of the absolute monarchy in France forever. Sofia Coppola's aesthetic and story choices present the life of Marie Antoinette through an intimate, personal lens designed to allow viewers an modern impression of Marie Antoinette; macarons, Converse, and all. Love it, hate it--but it's defined Marie Antoinette's modern place in pop culture in more ways than one.

The Favourite (2018)

The Favourite is inspired by the intriguing dynamic between Queen Anne of England and her two prominent favorites, Sarah Churchill and Abigail Masham. The two women's battle for Queen Anne's affection and status at court comprises most of the film's storyline, which is a darkly comedic blend of history and modern anachronisms that make for a snappy, satirical and highly enjoyable film. Of particular note is Olivia Colman's performance as Queen Anne, which earned her an Academy Award.

Madame Alexander Heads to the 18th-Century (Part 2: Pompadour Edition)

In Part 1 of this Madame Alexander series, we looked at some of the varied 18th-century inspired dolls that the company has produced over the years. In Part 2, we'll be looking at a specific series that was inspired by none other than the famous Madame Pompadour, longtime mistress of Louis XV.

The original 'Pompadour' series was released from 2001 to 2003.These dolls are some of the most sought after of the 21st century Madame Alexander releases due to the high level of details and quality in the original gowns. It's not unheard of for the original "Winter" to fetch over $1,000 when it shows up at auction! A few years later, the company released "Shadow" versions, or re-releases, due to the immense popularity of the line. The "Shadow" versions go for slightly less secondhand and had higher edition sizes.

Madame Pompadour: "Spring"

Madame Pompadour: "Summer"

Madame Pompadour: "Fall"

Madame Pompadour: "Winter"

Women's History Month: 18th-Century Women and their Gardens (Book Recommendations)

Women's History Month: A month celebrating women of history! I will be posting media and book recommendations, highlighting women from (mostly) the 18th century, and otherwise sharing content with an emphasis on women in history. 

[image: detail from The Fair Florist by J.R. Smith, 1780]

 Gardening became a contradictory sphere in the 18th century; a sphere which was dominated by formalized male landscape designers yet was inhabited more and more frequently by women who employed them or who dared to step beyond mere flower gardens to more expansive and typically masculine landscapes. These gardens could be pleasure retreats, expressions of their royal body, and sometimes even punishments for women sent into--literal and otherwise--retirement. The following are a selection of books that will help you learn more about the role of women in the landscape gardening sphere of the 18th century; enjoy and happy reading!

 

Green Retreats: Women, Gardens and Eighteenth-Century Culture by Stephen Bending  

In 'Green Retreats,' Stephen Bending explores the role of women in 18th-century gardens by laying out the broader context of women's involvement in gardens during the greater part of the 1700s; including popular artistic and literary depictions of women in gardens, the emergence of pastoral themes in women's gardening, and the words of women themselves to uncover how women chose to explore, understand, and sometimes even cross the boundaries of their status in society through gardens. This book is an intriguing exploration of an often-ignored subject, and Bending's work to restore the importance of women's roles in the sphere of 18th-century gardening is not to be missed.

From Marie-Antoinette's Garden: An Eighteenth-Century Horticultural Album by Elisabeth de Feydeau

'From Marie-Antoinette's Garden' is a highly illustrated look at one of the most extensive and well-known gardens in 18th century France: that of queen Marie Antoinette, who cultivated a garden filled with specific blooms designed to evoke a very personal aesthetic. This book features plenty of illustrations of the specific flowers featured in her garden while providing historical information about the background of the various blooms, how they were imported, and their context in Marie Antoinette's garden as a hole. This book is a definite must-have for garden lovers--or anyone who wants to take a stab at introducing some historically inspired blossoms into their own garden next spring.

Dairy Queens: The Politics of Pastoral Architecture from Catherine de Medici to Marie-Antoinette by Meredith Martin 

 'Dairy Queens' is a study in very particular feature found in a number of aristocratic garden estates: the pleasure dairy. Martin's book challenges the notion that pleasure dairies were simple follies and instead explores the political, social and personal statements made through their construction and utilization by royal and aristocratic women who commissioned and sometimes designed them. This book is an absolute must for anyone interested in a contextual view of Marie Antoinette's infamous hamlet and the notion of pleasure dairies in the 16th-18th centuries as a whole.

Happy Birthday Barbie! Here are Four 18th-Century Women I'd Like to See in the Barbie Inspiring Women Series

Four 18th-Century Women I'd Like to See in the Barbie Inspiring Women Series

To quote the official Barbie website, the Barbie Inspiring Women series "pays tribute to incredible heroines of their time; courageous women who took risks, changed rules, and paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever before."

The first three women in the series, released in 2018, were Frida Kahlo, Amelia Earhart, and Katherine Johnson; in 2019, at least 4 more Inspiring Women will be added to the line-up, including confirmed dolls of Rosa Parks and Sally Ride. And while most of the Inspiring Women so far have been relatively modern, I hope that Barbie will branch out and honor inspiring women from previous centuries as well. So in honor of Barbie's 60th birthday, I've compiled a list of some 18th-century women I think would fit right into this new and exciting Barbie series.

image: Self-portrait in a straw hat by Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun

Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun (1755-1842) 

Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun was one of the most prominent portrait artists of her era. She secured a spot in the almost completely male Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, rising above the strict professional limitations placed on women artists in France. Her portraiture was both acclaimed and derided, beloved and controversial. Her lifetime spanned the waning years of ancien regime France through multiple revolutions; but her legacy, and her memorable portraits, will continue on.

image: an illustration of Wheatley that accompanied her published poetry volume, 1773

Phillis Wheatley (c.1753-1784)

Phillis Wheatley was the first African slave woman to publish a volume of poetry in America. She was sold into slavery as a child; the Wheatley family who purchased her exceptionally tutored her in reading and writing, as well as various other subjects. She wrote her first poem at the age of 14 and, by the age of 20, had published a full volume of poetry. Sadly, her initial literary success was never repeated and an emancipated Wheatley and her husband struggled in poverty. She died of an unknown illness in 1784. Today, her volume of poetry and later poems published in magazines and newspapers stand as a testament to her incredible place in the history of African-American literature.

image: A portrait of Mary Wollstonecraft by John Opie, circa 1797

Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797)

Mary Wollstonecraft was one a writer, philosopher and supporter of women's rights who is best known for her famous A Vindication of the Rights of Women, published in 1792. Wollstonecraft died in 1797, just 11 days after giving birth to her second daughter, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin. Little Mary would become a prominent woman in her own right during the 19th century--under her married name, Mary Shelley. Wollstonecraft's treatise on the inherent equality of men and women not only inspired other male and female philosophers and thinkers during her lifetime, but became regarded in the 20th century as one of the foundations of modern feminist philosophy.

image: A portrait of Émilie du Châtelet by Maurice Quentin de La Tour

Émilie du Châtelet (1706-1749)

Émilie du Châtelet was a prominent philosopher, physicist, mathematician and author who is best known for her contributions to Newtonian mechanics and her influence on French philosophy before and after her death at age 42. Châtelet was widely recognized for her intellect, which earned her the collaboration and praise of some of the foremost minds of the 18th century. Today, her translation of Isaac Newton's Principia is still used as the standard French translation, and a renewed interest in her life, works, and achievements has brought her once again to the forefront of public imagination.

Are there any historical women--18th century or otherwise--you'd like to see represented in the Inspiring Women series?

Book Thursday: Let's Read About Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun!

Book Thursday: a day for anything and everything books; reviews, highlights, and more.

Élisabeth Louise Vigée Lebrun (1755-1842) was one of the most prominent European artists of her era; today, she is recognized and celebrated as one of the most significant portraitists in 18th-century France and one of the most successful women artists of all time. If you've been itching to do some reading about Madame Vigée Lebrun but haven't made it out to the library yet, you're in luck: I've compiled a short list of recommendations on books about Élisabeth Vigée Lebrun that are sure to have you reaching for your late-night reading lamp.

If you want to get up close and personal, check out...

The Memoirs of Madame Vigée Lebrun by Louise-Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun

What better way to get acquainted with Madame Lebrun than reading her own reflection on her decades-long career and life that took her from the streets of pre-revolutionary Paris to the courts of nearly every monarch in Europe? The edition illustrated above includes a modern introduction, but if you don't want to wait, the original 1903 Lionel Strachey translation of Memoirs is available to read for free online.

If you're into art history or want something more nuanced, check out...

The Exceptional Woman: Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun and the Cultural Politics of Art by Mary D. D. Sheriff

Sheriff's focused study of Lebrun's career explores Lebrun's work through the lens of social, political, professional and even philosophical debates about women artists and the role o women in 18th-century France. Sheriff's work proposes ways that Lebrun's portraits undermined traditional assumptions regarding women in her era.

If you want an all-in-one illustrated book with historical essays and biographical information, check out...

Vigée Le Brun by Joseph Baillio, Katharaine Baetjer, and Paul Lang

This book was published in 2016 to coincide with an expansive touring exhibition of Lebrun's portraits. The book is illustrated with 85 of her portraits and drawings and includes a biography of her life along with essays from historians and art experts regarding specific portraits, her role as a woman artist, and more.

Women's History Month: Portraits of Five 18th-Century Women Artists

Women's History Month: A month celebrating women of history! I will be posting media and book recommendations, highlighting women from (mostly) the 18th century, and otherwise sharing content with an emphasis on women in history.

Portraits of Five 18th-Century Women Artists

Women artists in the 18th-century faced significant professional discrimination, ranging from an outright ban on women from taking public drawing and painting classes with male students to a strict cap on female membership in the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, which admitted membership to only 15 women during its 145 year history. Despite the limitations on women artists in the professional artistic sphere, there were many women who were still able to achieve success and critical acclaim from the public and art critics alike. The following are portraits (by other artists) of just 5 of the many women artists who were active in the 18th century.

A portrait of Anne Vallayer-Coster by Alexander Roslin (1718-1793); 1783.

Portrait of Adélaïde Binart (1777-1832) by Marie-Geneviève Bouliard (1772–1825); 1796.

Portrait of Marie Thérèse Reboul (1728-1805) by Alexander Roslin (1718-1793); circa 1757.

Jeanne Philiberte Ledoux (1767–1840) by Jean-Baptiste Greuze (1725-1805); circa 1790.

Portrait of Marguerite Gérard (1761-1837) by François Dumont (1751-1831); 1793.

Women's History Month: 4 Biographies About Non-Royal 18th-Century Women

Women's History Month: A month celebrating women of history! I will be posting media and book recommendations, highlighting women from (mostly) the 18th century, and otherwise sharing content with an emphasis on women in history.

4 Biographies You May Have Missed About (Non-Royal) 18th-Century Women 

 

For the reader looking for interesting biographies on historical woman, there is--thankfully--hardly a shortage of books to choose from. But for readers looking to discover more about the lives of 18th century women, it can sometimes be hard to find biographies that aren't about those in the upper reaches of society. I've compiled a list of 4 biographies about 18th-century women who may not have been born queens or duchesses, but whose fascinating and even tragic lives remain a worthwhile subject of study today.

Hanging Ruth Blay: An Eighteenth-Century New Hampshire Tragedy by Carolyn Marvin

On December 30th, 1768, Ruth Blay--a former schoolteacher, aged 31--was hanged to death for the crime of concealing the death of her stillborn illegitimate child. Her trial and executed proved controversial among locals, and though her death has been the source of local lore since her fateful hanging, Marvin's book is the first extensive look at uncovering and understanding the real life and tragic fate of the last woman ever executed by the estate of New Hampshire.

The Diary of Elizabeth Drinker: The Life Cycle of an Eighteenth-Century Woman edited by Elaine Forman Crane

Elizabeth Drinker, a Quaker woman, began her diary in 1758, in the earliest years of her courtship with her soon-to-be husband, and kept regular entries until her death in 1807, in a world that would have been hardly recognizable to the young Elizabeth living in colonial America. In her extensive diary--presented here by Elaine Crane in an abridged edition--Elizabeth Drinker kept a personal record of her thoughts on her duties as a Quaker woman, as a mother, as a woman in a period when engaging and discussing politics entered into the female sphere; and on a host of social and political changes, including the American revolution, the French Revolution, and a changing landscape that altered society in significant and subtle ways

The Many Captivities of Esther Wheelwright by Ann M. Little

Esther Wheelwright began her life as the fourth of eleven children born to strict Puritan parents who operated a well-known garrison in the southern part of Maine; she was only 7 years old when she was captured by group of Wabanaki who attacked the area as part of a coordinated French assault; and in the next few years, she found herself enrolled in an Ursuline boarding school where she became convinced that she had been called to become a nun. By the time of her death in Quebec City in 1780, Esther had transformed into an educated, diplomatic Mother Superior well known for her political and financial savvy. Little's biography of Esther Wheelwright is an in-depth look at a relatively little-known yet fascinating woman.

 

 

 The Ordeal of Elizabeth Marsh: A Woman in World History by Linda Colley

Elizabeth Marsh was a remarkable woman who left behind almost none of the typical traces of her life that biographers hunt for when retelling the lives of past men and women. No portrait, no diaries, no existing letters--though she wrote them constantly; instead, Marsh left behind a vast amount of connections that place her on multiple continents and in some of the most unusual places in the world for a woman in her time. In telling the story of Elizabeth Marsh, Linda Colley tackles more than a reconstruction of one person's life; it is an exploration of the development of the connected world, and how connections--old and new--shaped and changed lives forever.

Women's History Month: 2017-2018 Book List Round-up

Women's History Month: A month celebrating women of history! I will be posting media and book recommendations, highlighting women from (mostly) the 18th century, and otherwise sharing content with an emphasis on women in history.

[image: Detail from a portrait of  Portrait of Marie Gabrielle de Gramont, Duchesse de Caderousse by Elisabeth Vigee Lebrun, 1784.]

For the past 2 years, I have created a selection of book lists tailored to women's history month. The tradition will continue this year (with non-book lists making their debut!) but for now I'd like to share the lists from the previous two years for anyone who's missed them or simply wants to take another look. Enjoy!

 2017

• 9 Non-Fiction Books About Marie Antoinette by Women Authors
• 9 Fiction Novels About Marie Antoinette by Women Authors
• 9 Biographies About Women in the French Revolution
• 9 Book About Women and the French Revolution
  
• 9 Books About Women Poets in the 18th-Century
  
• 8 Books About Women Artists in the 18th-Century
  

 2018

• 5 Fiction Novels Inspired by Real 18th-Century Women
• 3 Books From the Library of Marie Antoinette That Were Written by Women Authors
• 7 Books about 18th-Century Women in STEM Fields
• 6 (More) Books about Women Artists in the 18th-Century

5 Marie Antoinette Biographies for Young History Enthusiasts

image: detail from 'Inseperables' by Florence Fuller, 1900

Like many people, my interest in history was sparked when I was still young. My earliest entries into the non-fiction section of my elementary school library were those irresistible  Biesty cross-section books, though it wasn't until the release of the ultra-successful James Cameron Titanic film that I read my first chapter non-fiction book. (Although it took many weeks for my name to finally--finally--be next on the hold list to check out one of the school's limited and highly prized books on the Titanic.)

The market for children's historical non-fiction is still going strong today, and perhaps never before has there been such a varied selection of non-fiction books for children to choose from. Not surprisingly, there is an relatively wide selection of biographies written for younger readers that focus on Marie Antoinette. The following 5 biographies are a non-exhaustive selection which I think will be greatly enjoyed by children who are developing an interest in history.

Who Was Marie Antoinette? by Dana Rau Meachen

Part of the immensely popular 'Who Was?' series, 'Who Was Marie Antoinette?' is a straightforward children's biography that is supplemented with black and white illustrations and occasional one-page interludes that provide additional information to help readers better understand the context of the historical events.

Marie Antoinette, Controversial Queen of France by Heather E. Schwartz

Marie Antoinette: Controversial Queen of France is a classroom reader-style biography of Marie Antoinette's life illustrated with portraits and other drawings from her lifetime. Additional information is provided frequently in margins to provide further context and facts to help readers understand Marie Antoinette's life, the revolution, and the reason for her status as a "controversial queen."

Marie Antoinette, Queen of France by Mary Englar

Part of Snap Books' 'Queens and Princesses' series, Marie Antoinette, Queen of France is a short biography that explores the life of Marie Antoinette through engaging young reader friendly text that is supplemented with actual portraits and illustrations from Marie Antoinette's lifetime; notably, the book also incorporates several quotes from Marie Antoinette's letters in its supplemental material. The book includes a short glossary as well as recommendations for further reading.

Marie Antoinette by Katie Daynes

This charmingly illustrated book is part of Usborne's 'Famous Lives' series. It retells the life of Marie Antoinette through simple text and plenty of full-color illustrations, many of which are quite nice. This book's story-like text makes it ideal for younger readers who would like to get a sense of Marie Antoinette's story before moving on to books with a more traditional educational format as they get older.

 Marie Antoinette Fashionable Queen or Greedy Royal? by Sarah Powers Webb

Marie Antoinette, Fashionable Queen of Greedy Royal? is part of the 'Perspectives on History' series which focuses on polarizing figures throughout history. This biography examines Antoinette's life while also encouraging young readers to think about different contextual perspectives for historical events and people, with the aim of the series being to help develop critical thinking skills in younger readers.

5 Fiction Novels Inspired by Real 18th-Century Women

Real-life historical women have inspired countless novels. The following 5 novels were inspired by the real lives and 5 different women who lived and loved in the 18th-century.

The Fountain of St. James Court; or, Portrait of the Artist as an Old Woman: A Novel by Sena Jeter Naslund

The Fountain of St. James Court; or, Portrait of the Artist as an Old Woman is a novel-within-a-novel about Elisabeth-Vigee Lebrun, told through the story Kathryn Callaghan, a novel writer who has just finished her novel about famed 18th-century painter.

The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. by Sandra Gulland

The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. tells the story of the youth and early adulthood of Josephine Bonaparte, including her fist marriage, her struggles in the French Revolution and ultimately her early relationship with Napoleon Bonaparte.

The Sisters of Versailles: A Novel by Sally Christie

The Sisters of Versailles: A Novel tells the story of the three Nesle sisters--Pauline, Diane and Marie-Anne-- who would, through betrayals, sacrifices and triumphs, become the mistresses of Louis XV.

Confessions of a Courtesan by Deborah Hale

Confessions of a Courtesan a fictionalized memoir from the point-of-view of Elizabeth Armistead, the English courtesan who became a mistress and eventually wife of English politician Charles Fox.

I, Eliza Hamilton by Susan Holloway Scott

I, Eliza Hamilton is a fictional memoir of Elizabeth--better known in popular culture as Eliza--Hamilton, the wife of famed American founding father, Alexander Hamilton.