This is of course a gross oversimplification of the complexity and delicacy of Shikibu’s work. It extends past his death to chronicle the lives of his son and grandson as they take up their father’s mantel. The Tale of Genji is a sprawling story of the charming prince Genji all the psychological turmoil that comes with his rather lascivious lifestyle. It was while at court that she wrote The Tale of Genji, the first novel. What we do know is that Shikibu was married and widowed at a young age (well, young by current standards) and that she soon after joined the court of Emperor Ichijo in the service of one of his consorts Akiko. Like our previous authors so much of Murasaki Shikibu is unknown. For both the beauty of her work and the mark she left on the world-both ancient and contemporary-we remember Sappho.ģ) Japan 975ish-1025ish: Murasaki Shikibu Sappho tended to write about love (though it is unclear just how personal these poetic declarations were) and even now, 2,500 years after her death, her work remains as some of the most beautiful poetry of ancient Greece. What we do have is few names of family members and friends, a single complete poem, and several fragments.īut this surviving poetry remains literature of great skill and passion. Described by contemporaries and future writers as both poet of undeniable skill and a woman of endless scandal the subject of Sappho’s life has always been one of controversy. What there is of Sappho’s work and life comes down to us as echo and rumor.
If we know little of Enheduanna we know perhaps even less of Sappho writing almost 2,500 years later. While only so much can be gleaned after four thousand years we think being the first author, let alone one of the most powerful women of her time, earns Enheduanna a spot on our list. Along with penning (or more likely dictating the carving of) the first written texts she also helped to bring stability to the Akkadian/Sumerian empire and religion. Her life was one of responsibility and intrigue. We know her hymns to Inanna are the first recorded instance of the religious hymns of southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia. While we don’t really know too much about her (even Enheduanna is a title she gained upon taking her position as priestess) but we do know she was Sagon of Akkad’s daughter and one of the most powerful women in ancient Sumer. The first known author in human history was Ur’s high priestess, Enheduanna. We believe that in order to make a brighter future we need to know the past, so let’s look back and demolish the myth that the writing woman is a new literary phenomenon. We also want to make sure to acknowledge the incredible women writers of history. Morris we are proud to offer the work of so many amazing authors. Jemison to the sublime poetry of Joy Harjo to the intense investigations of Monique W.
15 Influential, Iconic, and Inspiring Women Writers Through HistoryĬome into one of our Busboys and Poets bookshops and we can direct you to any number of wonderful books by women.
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