The month of January is dedicated to the writer Maria Edgeworth
1st of January, 1767 – 22nd of May, 1849

On 1st of January, Maria Edgeworth was born, a British writer of Irish origin, famous for her children’s stories “The Parent’s Assistant” and novels set in Ireland. Her talent as a writer stands out for her ability to observe social behaviour that emerged in her first novel “Castle Rackrent” and in later works such as “Belinda” and “Tales of Fashionable Life”; and for her critical analysis of social issues such as in “Patronage” and “Ormond”.
Her first publication was “Letters for Literary Ladies” where in the first part she gives advice to women who would like to become writers and in the second part, through an epistolary narrative, she addresses issues such as education and the limited opportunities for women of her time.

In Ireland, in Edgeworthstown, County Longford, you can visit the Maria Edgeworth Centre. An interpretive centre on the history of the education system in Ireland and the Edgeworth family, in a 19th century house that was a school, which also displays portraits, books and objects related to the Edgeworth family. In addition, in the Irish town there are other literary trails and cultural events connected with Maria and other writers.

Recommended readings of the month:
– Castle Rackrent by Maria Edgeworth
– Belinda by Maria Edgeworth
– Tales and novels by Maria Edgeworth
– Ormond by Maria Edgeworth