A Book of Sibyls: Miss Barbauld, Miss Edgeworth, Mrs Opie, Miss Austen

"A Book of Sibyls: Miss Barbauld, Miss Edgeworth, Mrs Opie, Miss Austen" by Anne Thackeray Ritchie is a series of biographical accounts from the late 1800s that showcases the lives and literary accomplishments of four influential female authors—Anna Lætitia Barbauld, Maria Edgeworth, Amelia Opie, and Jane Austen—who left remarkable marks on early 19th-century English literature. The book begins by exploring Mrs. Barbauld's life, highlighting her esteemed position as both a celebrated author and educator, particularly noting her pioneering work in children's literature and her associations with important literary personalities. Readers are transported to Barbauld's tranquil childhood in the countryside and her intellectually stimulating home, tracing her development from a bright student to a published author. Ritchie paints a picture of Barbauld's friendly nature, literary genius, and the personal battles she faced, giving readers a comprehensive view of a groundbreaking female writer's life and her impact within a literary world that largely favored men.