“As if the Devil Was in Her”: Fanny Fern’s Remaking of Authorship in the Nineteenth Century

Authors

Rowan S. Q. Havranek, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Citation

Havranek, Rowan. “As if the Devil Was in Her”: Fanny Fern’s Remaking of Authorship in the Nineteenth Century. Undergraduate Honors Thesis. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 2025.

Comments

Copyright Rowan Havranek 2025.

Abstract

Fanny Fern revolutionized nineteenth-century literature with her unapologetically blunt and insightful commentary on social norms, education, women’s rights, and more. As a columnist for The New York Ledger, Fern challenged the conventional boundaries placed on women, blending her personal observations and experiences with sharp social critique. Because of her unflinching style and writings that addressed a wide range of topics, she became one of the most well-paid and widely read authors of her time. Yet, she was also subjected to harsh judgment. The media, particularly in the hands of her second husband, was used to damage her reputation, yet Fern turned this to her advantage.

Her success despite a troubled marriage and destitution to become financially independent through writing was a groundbreaking act for a woman of her time. Fern’s influence extended beyond her literary accomplishments, as she also played a key role in shaping the business of writing, advertising strategies, and establishing legal precedents in copyright law, which would go on to benefit male authors too. Through her trailblazing work, Fern cemented the role of the professional writer and paved the way for future generations of women in literature, making her a significant figure in American literary history. Not to mention, every bit of her work is relevant and has the potential to deeply resonate with readers today. For this reason, Fanny Fern deserves more attention and credit for her influence in the world of writing.