Women Writers in 19th-century literature

In the late 19th century, during Britain’s zenith as a global power, The Yellow Book emerged as a revolutionary journal of art and literature, challenging the Victorian notions of morality and aesthetics. Conceived by artist Aubrey Beardsley and writer Henry Harland, it played a significant role in the cultural landscape of the period, from 1894 to 1897, and is now synonymous with the era known as “the yellow nineties.”

Notably, The Yellow Book stood out for its avant-garde fin de siècle designs and its dedication to promoting women writers. Dubbed the “Beardsley women,” its distinctive black illustrations, characterized by exaggerated features, captivated readers. Although criticized for their unconventional appearance, these illustrations represented a break from traditional artistic norms.

The journal featured a substantial number of women writers, with one-third of its contributors being women. Among them were early modernists like Chavelita Bright, who wrote under the pseudonym George Egerton, and realist author Ella D’Arcy. D’Arcy’s writings offered a nuanced perspective on women’s roles in society, differing from the prevailing feminist discourse of her time.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The Hindustan Times