Mary E Bradley Lane

Mary E. Bradley Lane (July 3, 1844 – January 6, 1930) was an American feminist science fiction teacher and author. She was one of the first women to have published a science fiction novel in the United States. Her novel, Mizora: A Prophecy, was first published in 1880, as a serial in a Cincinnati newspaper, and has remained remarkable for the radicalism of the feminist utopia presented, against 19th century societal norms. She published a second novel in 1895, entitled Escanaba, which however remains lost.

Early Life and Education

Lane was born in Saint Marys, Ohio, in 1844. She attended Oberlin College, where she studied English and literature. After graduating from Oberlin, Lane taught at a number of schools, including the Cincinnati School of Oratory and the Cincinnati College of Music.

Career

Lane began her writing career in the 1870s. She wrote short stories, essays, and poems for a variety of magazines and newspapers. In 1880, she began writing Mizora: A Prophecy. The novel was serialized in the Cincinnati Commercial newspaper, and it was published in book form in 1890.

Mizora: A Prophecy is a feminist science fiction novel that tells the story of a utopian society inhabited by women. The novel was groundbreaking in its time, and it is still considered to be one of the most important early works of feminist science fiction.

After publishing Mizora: A Prophecy, Lane continued to write and teach. She published a second novel, Escanaba, in 1895, but the novel has since been lost. Lane also taught at a number of schools in Cincinnati, and she was a vocal advocate for women's rights and social justice.

Principles

Lane was a feminist who believed in the equality of the sexes. She also believed in the importance of education and social justice.

Notable Works

• Mizora: A Prophecy (1880)
• Escanaba (1895)

Philosophy

Lane's philosophy was based on the belief that everyone, regardless of gender, race, or social class, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. She believed that education was essential for personal and social progress, and she was a strong advocate for social justice.

Death and Legacy

Lane died in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1930. She is remembered as one of the first female science fiction authors and as a vocal advocate for women's rights and social justice. Her novel, Mizora: A Prophecy, is still considered to be one of the most important early works of feminist science fiction.

Interesting Facts About Mary E. Bradley Lane

• Lane was one of the first women to have published a science fiction novel in the United States.
• Her novel, Mizora: A Prophecy, is a feminist science fiction novel that tells the story of a utopian society inhabited by women.
• Lane was a vocal advocate for women's rights and social justice.
• She was a member of the Cincinnati Woman's Club, where she gave lectures on a variety of topics, including women's rights, education, and social justice.
• Lane was also a member of the National American Woman Suffrage Association.

Conclusion

Mary E. Bradley Lane was a pioneer in the field of science fiction and a strong advocate for women's rights and social justice. Her novel, Mizora: A Prophecy, is still considered to be one of the most important early works of feminist science fiction. Lane's legacy is one of courage, conviction, and a commitment to creating a better world for all.