Tuesday 12 May 2015

A Woman Who Shaped History – Louisa May Alcott (1832- 1888)



Louisa May Alcott is of course best known for her wonderful book Little Women.  I didn't realise until recently that it was autobiographical rather than pure fiction.

Louisa grew up in Boston Pennsylvania and had 4 sisters. She had some amazing tutors – among them Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Oliver Wendell Holmes and Nathaniel Hawthorne.

In her early twenties she wrote some pot-boilers to supplement her family's income.  During the Civil War she volunteered as a nurse.  Later she edited a magazine.

Little Women was released in 1868 when Alcott was 36.  It was wildly popular and has enduring appeal today.

Louisa May Alcott died too young – at only 55.  A loss to literature.

7 comments:

  1. She is an inspiring woman. Little Women is a classic for all to read.

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  2. Really, it was an auto bio?? I didn't know that...read Little Women at a young age and now I don't remember! Perhaps I need to reread!!!! That's for the update!

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  3. We were able to go round her house, when we visited the USA in 2004, and I saw her writing desk and it was wonderful, and I cherish the memory!!

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  4. Great talent nurtured by great tutors.

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  5. I have always loved her books!!! Read Little Women MANY times!!!

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  6. 'Did not know those were her tutors! WOW! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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  7. Louisa May Alcott is one of my favourite authors.
    She was Jo, more or less, as she actually remained single. Her other children's books are good, too.
    The funny thing is I've read that she didn't care for it as much as she did her more serious works as she didn't think it was important literature.

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