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Who was the first novel writer? Learn the History of Novels!

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Do you know the history of novels? Who was the first novel writer? Read here to find out!

The History of Novels

Are you familiar with the background or history of novels? Where did novels come from? Who was the first novel writer?

In the 21st century, where novels are considered the most popular form of entertainment, it’s impossible to imagine novels not being around. But prior to the eighteenth century, novels didn’t exist. Prior to novels, authors retold stories that were already well known. And the genre of fiction was just reinventing a story previously told. For example, an author might reuse characters such as Hercules or Adam and Eve and tell a new rendition of their story.

Daniel DeFoe was the first author documented to break this tradition. DeFoe pulled away from retelling stories and invented his own new protagonists, experiencing their own trials, tribulations and lives. The first documented published work classified as a novel was DeFoe’s Robinson Crusoe published in 1719. The novel is about a man, Crusoe, who was shipwrecked on an island and the adventures he experienced.

At first, critics did not know what to make of this new fictional publication. Debate followed as other authors jumped to copy. What defined this new genre? An imaginative recreation of reality? A historical or scary conveyor of the truth? A harmless amusement? These were all potential definitions of a novel in the eighteenth century.

Despite the varying perspectives and even potential contradictions, there were some key components that emerged in the new fictional pieces. 1. Writers were more likely to show the life of the present day vs life from the past. 2. Characters were made to be believable and relatable.

Thus the genre of the novel was born.

As we all know, novels are now the most popular form of published genres. There is just something about picking up a story to escape from reality. And one thing that never ceases to amaze me is just when you think every story has already been told and there’s nothing new left out there, some new author finds a way to completely prove that wrong. Just goes to show there really is no limit to the power of imagination!

Happy Reading Everyone!

Want to read more posts like this? Here are a few more you may enjoy:

The History of Historical Fiction & Why it’s Popular…

Do You Know The History of Mother’s Day?

U.S. Immigration History- How Much Do You Know About It?

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Where You Find the Words

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We all know the book, but how did the dictionary come to be?

The History of the Dictionary

We’ve all heard the phrase look it up in the dictionary. But how did it actually come to be? What is the history of the dictionary?

On April 15th 1747, Samuel Johnson published an English dictionary at over 43,500 words.

It wasn’t the first dictionary ever published, but it was by far the most comprehensive English language dictionary of its time. It was also the first that ever published etymologies and various meanings for words.

It took Johnson and and several part time copyists eight years to compile the definitions. Although comprehensive, it had many biases and limitations, most being that Johnson had some quirky ideas about standards for word inclusion.

There have been other dictionaries that have been published since Johnson’s edition– the most famous being Webster’s and the Oxford editions. Both of which were even more comprehensive in their development. However, were they any more objective?

I recently read an interesting book called The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams. It really heightened my understanding and awareness of the bias in the English language. Williams went into great detail to discuss the differences in word choices and meanings for class and gender.

I feel this is something we still see today. Even with creations of “urban” dictionaries, there are still varying forms of slang, cultural, racial, regional, and even ageist bias in the use of the English language.

Not to mention, with technology and social media- new words, phrases, memes and meanings are created at the speed of light. Think of the new context behind the use of the name “Karen” or phrase “Let’s go Brandon.”

Is there any wonder that people will forever be lost in understanding the true implications of conversational English?

Language is tricky, so much can be lost in translation, and understanding. However, there is also a beauty in its complexity. Could language ever be truly objective? Would we even want it to be?

Much like a woman, words will always contain more than immediately meets the eye. You have to dig deeper to understand the true context and layers in its meaning.

Maybe that’s the problem so far- these dictionaries have all been compiled by men… 😉

Enjoy this post? Here are a few more you may be interested in:

Changemaker Spotlight: Meet Nellie Bly, The Best Reporter in America

How an Education Bill Changed the Story for Women

Find more ways to spoil your inner bookworm!

The History of Historical Fiction & Why it’s Popular…

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I often get asked why historical fiction? Why is historical fiction the genre I devour cover to cover? And why write historical fiction when it’s one of the most cumbersome, challenging genres to write? I think to answer that effectively, I first have to answer what is the history of historical fiction and how exactly do we define it?

A Complex Genre

Before we can examine the history of historical fiction, we need to discuss how to even define this genre as a whole.

Historical fiction is one of the trickiest genres to define. If you look it up anywhere you’ll get twelve different explanations. A genre of fiction that takes place in the past. A style of fiction whose events must take place at least fifty years ago etc. Those are the generic dictionary type definitions. To me, I think this is best answered by one of my favorite quotes by novelist Guy Vanderhaeghe. He says– “History tells us what people do: historical fiction helps us imagine how they felt.”

The History of Historical Fiction

The origin of historical fiction is also difficult to pinpoint for similar reasons. Historians and researchers have pointed to a few different origin points for the genre. For example, some have argued Homer and The Illiad (762 BCE) or Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Knight’s Tale (1476) could be origin examples. Others have pointed to Shakespeare’s Richard II (1597). Just like the varying definitions, interpretations are wide and varied on this point. Partly because these works would have been written during the time they take place rather in the past, so do they really qualify under current definitions? Depends who you ask… The only general consensus is that the genre has been around for awhile and continues to grow in popularity.

Where the History & Creativity Combine

So, why is historical fiction so popular? We always want to connect with the characters we’re reading about. But what if the character is based on someone who actually lived? That completely ups the stakes! Historical fiction not only allows us to learn about history, we get to experience it with the character. This blurring of fact and fiction is what makes the historical fiction genre special. It intrigues readers into wanting to google facts and learn more as they read.

The other thing that makes historical fiction special is it’s the only genre that’s all encompassing and inclusive of everyone and all tastes. You like spy action thrillers? Check out a spy action thriller that takes place during WWII and guess what- it’s still considered historical fiction! Romance? Check out Outlander and every other time travel or Regency historical romance on the shelves. If you google examples of historical fiction, you’ll find examples of every genre imaginable that just take place in the past.

Are you won over? Do you now feel you can not only defend historical fiction’s honor, but even understand why historical fiction is the best genre ever?

Historical Fiction Stats to Consider!

I’ll leave you with this to consider. Just over half (54%) of Americans read at least one book last year. Surprisingly, the largest age group who read? Millenials. 80% of respondents between the ages of 18-35 read a book in the last twelve months. And here’s the final kicker- Historical Fiction was the third most popular genre read, falling only after mysteries and fantasies. 25% of all respondents across the range of all ages read a historical fiction book last year. It was also one of the genres least influenced by gender, enjoyed by both men and women almost equally.

So, now do you see why I’m so fascinated/ obsessed with this genre? Thankfully, I’m not alone and I love to share. So, to enjoy some of my favorite historical fiction books check out my Book Lists page below! Enjoy!

Find more ways to spoil your inner bookworm!

Woman Suffrage Parade on March 3, 1913

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“We march today to give evidence to the world of our determination, that this simple act of justice shall be done.” Woman Suffrage March program

Woman Suffrage Parade on March 3 1913

Woman’s Suffrage has a long and difficult history. As we know, there were many who suffered blood, sweat and tears to advocate for woman’s suffrage. Today I’m going to discuss a particular instance in our Woman’s Suffrage history. The Woman Suffrage Parade on March 3 1913 was supposed to be a peaceful march in Washington DC. However, it unfortunately turned into a day of disaster. What happened and why?

The Plan for the Woman Suffrage Parade

On the week of March 4, 1913, everyone gathered for Woodrow Wilson’s Inauguration Day. Wilson’s history was inconsistent when it came to woman’s suffrage. Wilson claimed to be a woman suffrage supporter. However, he believed the states should grant access instead of the federal level. The National American Woman Suffrage Association disagreed.

Lucy Burns and Alice Paul were the newly-appointed chairs of the NAWSA’s Congressional Committee. Paul and Burns wanted more than patchwork woman’s suffrage rights on the state level. They wanted to aim bigger and get the Susan B. Anthony amendment for women’s federal voting rights to pass in Congress. They would do this by shining a spotlight on their cause, making it impossible to ignore.

Paul and Burns carefully planned a parade to demonstrate their cause. They chose to march along Pennsylvania Avenue, the same route Wilson would take the following day for his Inauguration and got thousands of women to march from all across the country.

The Great Demand

Inez Milholland, a famous suffragette, led the parade riding astride a white horse. She wore a white dress and a tiara with the star of hope. “We’re feminists, fighting not just for the vote, but for full equality,” she declared. In addition to Milholland, the parade also featured floats bearing banners for “The Great Demand.”

In keeping with Paul and Burn’s goal of making the parade impossible to ignore, they chose the parade’s slogan carefully. They coined The Great Demand slogan to exemplify that women were more than just demure and gracious. Women were strong and “demanding” access to the equal rights they deserved.

They next divided the parade into sections with orchestrated examples of woman capability. They designed the procession to demonstrate women’s achievements across the nation and how much they already contributed to the country. To do this women marched in their academic regalia from their universities, in uniforms and with others from their professions, and drove their cars. Behind them bands marched and played patriotic music.

Where Things Went Wrong

Few attendees saw the parade in its intended design, however, despite Paul and Burns’ careful planning. A crowd of over 250,000 spectators had turned up to view the parade. But there was little to no crowd control along the route. Spectators abandoned the sidewalks and blocked the route. The marchers tried their best to continue, those in cars or on horseback tried to push back the crowd. But the crowd immediately filled in again. Eventually, the parade stalled.

The marchers found themselves trapped in a crowd of mainly men that turned extremely hostile against them. The crowd jeered and threw things at the marchers. The men grabbed at the marchers, spitting and yelling sexual insults. The women received no assistance from nearby police officers.

Although a few women fled the scene, most were determined to continue and finish the parade. They locked arms and pushed their way through the ambush. Some used their banners and flags as weapons to ward off further attack. They held their ground until U.S. Army troops finally arrived an hour later to clear the street so the parade could continue.

A Key Moment in Suffrage History

Although the parade did not have its “intended” effect, it did still shine a spotlight on the cause. Headlines detailing the disruption and chaos at the parade eclipsed Wilson’s Inauguration coverage. There were also later inquiries in Congress into why there was insufficient crowd control for the event. These investigations kept the parade in the headlines for months to come which brought much needed interest and support to the cause.

To celebrate this, I’ll be sharing a follow up blog post next week to further delve into Lucy Burns and her personal champion efforts to support the suffrage cause.

Did you enjoy this article? Check out more of my Changemaker History Posts below!

Changemaker Spotlight: Get to Know Louisa May Alcott

First Female Police Officer: Changemaker Spotlight

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The Triangle Fire Memorial Unveiling: Tracing Their Steps

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One hundred and twelve years ago a fire stole 146 lives. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire was one of the worst workplace disasters in American history. The fire was also the turning point in workers’ rights history. And now finally, after many years of waiting, the Triangle Fire Memorial has been unveiled!

Rising nine stories high, the Triangle Fire Memorial was constructed on the very building that housed the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory and the historic fire. It is located at the corners of Greene Street and Washington Place in Greenwich Village.

The Triangle Fire Memorial Design

The Triangle Fire Memorial is a beautiful installation. It wraps around the building like a ribbon and tells the story of the fire in the languages of the victims, English, Italian and Yiddish. The names of each of the victims is listed backwards along with their ages. Backwards so when the sun shines through, the name is projected through to read on the sidewalk below. Mounted plaques also list the many legislative and historic workplace changes the fire inspired.

Attending the Triangle Fire Memorial Unveiling

When I heard the Triangle Fire Memorial Unveiling Ceremony was occurring I knew I needed to attend. I felt like after spending so much of my life researching and writing about these women, I needed to be there in person to honor them. Little did I know just how special attending the event would become.

For starters, I soon discovered that part of what makes this memorial so special is it’s not only a memorial to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory victims, it’s also one of the only memorials dedicated to workers in the country. As a result, the event was being attended and honored by trade unions and labor organizers from all over.

If you know me, you know my dad was a steamfitter and proud Local 638 member. So I knew this would be right up his alley. Sure enough, we soon discovered his union would be attending the event with a banner and buttons. If you’ve even been fortunate enough to meet my dad, you know he’s someone that goes all in. He’s a networker and manages to make amazing connections.

A day or two before the event, my dad called and told me we’d not only be meeting up with the steamfitters at the event, but he’d also arranged for us to march in the parade from FIT downtown to the Brown Building. So we did. Shirtwaists waving and all. Then the magic continued.

A Behind the Scenes Tour

We arrived at the event and met up with Local 638 business agents, Charlie Pellegrino and David Johnsen. It turned out the Brown Building recently began construction and Local 638 steamfitters were currently working on the 8th, 9th, and 10th floors, the VERY floors where the fire occurred!

David Johnsen is a very kind man. And apparently he could see what an absolute nerd I am. Because next thing I knew he was taking us on a tour of the historic floors. Now, I’m sure many have traversed these fateful floors over the years, but what was truly amazing about these particular circumstances was with the construction they were ripped down to the studs. That meant the original brick walls that were probably there in 1911 were what I saw today. I touched the original walls of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory! Then he brought us up to the roof where Max Blanck and Isaac Harris crawled across a ladder to safety.

I will be forever grateful for this day. It was a historic day where this beautiful memorial will now eternally commemorate the stories of these women. I also got to meet many of the amazing people from the Remember the Triangle Coalition who have worked tirelessly over the years to make this all happen. And I got to walk side by side with my dad and many other amazing tradespeople and workers currently building and working in our cities today. What a truly glorious day.

Find more ways to spoil your inner bookworm!

Women’s Right Convention & The Women Who Risked it All

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July 19th and 20th of this year mark the 175th Anniversary of the 1848 Women’s Rights Convention at Seneca Falls!

For those not familiar, this historic two day convention was the first event to focus on “the social, civil and religious condition and rights of women.” About three hundred women attended and after two days of discussion, they drafted the Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions. This document described the ways in which the laws of their time failed women. They failed to protect their rights, their safety and their potential. Their proposed solution was calling for the woman’s right to vote.

This was the official launch to the women’s rights and suffrage movements. Sadly, it took seventy years for women to actually be granted this right and few got to ever celebrate or see the fruit of their labors. But there was at least one woman, Rhoda Palmer, who at 102 cast her first ballot in the 1918 New York State election.

It’s amazing how second nature and even taken for granted voting seems today. I’m guilty myself of not voting in every election. It’s just a small one. There’s no candidate I care for, etc. But, to think of the blood, sweat and tears so many put in to grant us this simple privilege, I know I should do better.

As we head into what appears to be another contentious election season, let us remember these courageous people from our past. And let us most importantly remember, even one vote can make a difference. Let your voice be heard!

Are you currently registered to vote? REGISTER TODAY!

For more information about the Seneca Falls Convention and to really get a clear picture of the attendees and the risks they took to attend the convention that day– take a look at this keynote speech from the 150th anniversary.