Edith Wharton. What a name eh? Before you look her up, let me impart a few fun facts I found compelling! Now, I’ve loved books as long as I can remember, but I don’t recall walking around at 4 years old telling family and friends entertaining, lengthy, detailed stories I made up, which is exactly what Edith did.
She wrote her first novel at 11, despite her mother forbidding her to read novels until she was married. Upon showing her novel to her mother and being quibbled at, Edith humbly bailed on the notion of novel writing and turned to poetry. Being smart and well read must have been frowned upon in their home I suppose? I can imagine, books being thrown, pages torn out! “Don’t disobey me child! Novels are our nemesis! Until you’re married anyway!” Poor Edith. My, how times have changed!
Edith Wharton was born in New York in 1862. Her family traveled often, and she became fluent in French, German and Italian. My, my Edith! I’m impressed! Hopefully her mother didn’t mind her articulate proficiency in that as well. As Edith grew into a teen, she didn’t conform to the standards expected from young ladies at that time. She had no intention of finding a well-off husband, while waiting to be noticed on the sidelines at the elaborate balls and parties. She viewed the society standards then as superficial and repressive. I would too!
Edith had a yearning for learning and would often sneak into her father’s library to read. What a rebel! At 15 she published her first poem. Cheers to Edith! Actually, cheers to E.A. Washburn who she had to publish the poem under (the name of a male friend of her fathers). This is a German poem titled, “What the Stones Tell” if you’re curious. In the next few years, she published several new poems, all under anonymous or alias names. Despite all her success, she was not motivated by her family or friends to continue writing. Is anyone annoyed yet? (ME). Despite the lack of personal support, she kept writing and publishing.
At 23 she married a man 12 years older (I like em’ older too, Edith) and they traveled often. Travel became a highlight of her writing and later, grazed many of the pieces written. Her husband suffered with severe depression and other health issues, eventually restricting him from the leaving the home. After 28 years of marriage, she moved on. Edith was over it and moved to an apartment in Paris. Living the good life eh, Edith? She was involved in many good deeds after this phase of her life.
World War 1 began, and she was compelled to do something to contribute. Edith opened a workroom for unemployed women and then a rescue shelter that provided over 900 refugees with homes that had been lost in World War 1. This chick was determined! She stayed busy with many different charities. Once the war ended, she was ready for a break and ran to the countryside to escape the noise. I can’t lie. I would have ducked out way earlier.
During her life, she spewed out many other novels, short stories, and magazine articles in which she often shared her travel experiences. She wasn’t done though. Select novels also became plays, some more successful than others. In 1921 Edith was awarded with the Pulitzer Prize for literature, crediting her amazing work for The Age of Innocence. Edith was also the very first woman to win this award, mind you! Obviously, Edith Wharton is somewhat of a writing superstar!
Despite the lack of support during her youth and being born into a period where woman were viewed as mere trophies, mothers and expected to “play the role”, Edith respectfully ran into the library of life, saying no to all the restrictions and ridiculous expectations. One can only read the words of someone else’s thoughts for so long before she knew what was within her. “No, I shall write.” And so, she did.
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