Author profile
Harriet Martineau
1802 - 1876
Best known work
- Illustrations of Political Economy, 1832
Other well known work(s)
Genres
- Fiction - Novels
- Journalism
- Politics / Philosophy / Essays
- Travel Writing / Translation
- Biography / Autobiography
Nom de plume
None
Social class
Middle class
Parental background
Her father was a cloth manufacturer. She was home educated but spent more than three years at two different schools, including time as a boarder.
At publication of best known work
- Age: 30
- Marital status: Unmarried
- Number of children: 0
Physical description
"Of average height, with a plain face, grey-green eyes, and brown hair" (RK Webb, ODNB)
Did you know?
Martineau was deaf from the age of twelve and suffered with deficient senses of taste and smell.
Additional information
The Martineau Society preserves and propagates the spirit of the Martineau family through its website. Martineau's autobiography, written somewhat pre-emptively in 1855, is freely available online.