Helen (ePub)

Maria Edgeworth (1768-1849) was a prolific Anglo-Irish writer of adults' and children's literature. She was one of the earliest realist writers in children's literature and was a significant figure in the evolution of the novel in Europe. Born at Black Bourton, Oxfordshire, she was the second child of Richard Lovell Edgeworth, a well-known author and inventor, and his first wife, Anna Maria Elers. Edgeworth's education came from her father's extensive library and her exposure to his intellectual circle, which primed her to become a writer herself.

Her novel 'Helen' is among one of her lesser-known works but nonetheless a testament to her literary skill and moral intentions. In her novels, Edgeworth's sharp observation of character and social dynamics is evident. She typically captured the tensions between tradition and progress, providing keen insight into the challenges and duties of genteel women. Edgeworth was a contemporary to Jane Austen and valued for her portrayals of early 19th-century English and Irish society. Her works, including 'Castle Rackrent' and 'The Absentee', often addressed issues of estate management, morality, and social order, which had significant influence on the evolution of the novel. Edgeworth's upbringing and extensive literary output shepherded a nascent realism that underscored the societal changes of her time.