Women's literacy rates ranked behind those of men. In the middle and upper classes, women's role was redefined in the late 18th and early 19th century to include educating the children of the family, so more women learned to read. Women's novels also became popular, and women writers more common. A few women began to make their living from writing, despite legal obstacles to married women keeping their own earnings.
19th Century Woman Reading
By Jone Johnson Lewis, About.com Guide
In the 19th century, photographs became enormously popular among any who could afford them. This one is unusual in depicting a woman reading.
Woman Reading - 19th Century
© Dover Publications. Used with permissionWomen Writers - 19th Century
The Bronte Sisters
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