“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
Throughout history, countless women have defied expectations, and broken barriers and changed the world with their courage, determination and vision. From pioneering leaders and innovators to trailblazing artists and activists, their inspiring biographies serve as powerful reminders of what can be achieved in the face of adversity. Join us today at What We Reading as we explore the lives of famous women who made lasting impacts on society, and whose stories continue to inspire and empower generations. Whether you’re a history buff or simply looking for some motivation, these biographies of famous women offer profound insights into their journeys, struggles and triumphs.
The Diary Of A Young Girl – Anne Frank
Kicking off our list of biographies of famous women is Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl, one of the most powerful and influential works from the twentieth century. This deeply personal account chronicles the life of Anne Frank, a Jewish teenager hiding with her family in the Netherlands during the country’s occupation by the Nazis during the Second World War. Written whilst confined to a secret annexe, Anne’s diary captures her fears, dreams and struggles.
Through her writing, Anne Frank gives a voice to the millions who suffered during the Holocaust, and her diary has become an enduring symbol of resilience and hope. Her sharp observations of life in hiding, along with her reflections on identity, humanity and the world’s injustices remind us of the power personal stories have in sharpening our understanding of history and humanity.
Beatrix Potter: A Life In Nature – Linda Lear
Best known for her enchanting children’s tales such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter was much more than just a storyteller – she was a pioneering naturalist, conservationist and illustrator. Linda Lear’s biography, A Life in Nature, explores Beatrix’s passion for the natural world, her groundbreaking scientific studies on fungi, and her determination to preserve the Lake District’s beauty.
It also delves into her personal challenges, including societal constraints on women in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, as well as her resilience in carving a life of purpose and creativity. Lear paints a vivid portrait of a woman who defied expectations and is an inspiring tale of how her life shaped the beloved stories and landscapes we treasure today.
Harriet Tubman: The Road To Freedom – Catherine Clinton
Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom by Catherine Clinton is a compelling biography that charts the extraordinary life of one of history’s most influential women. Born into slavery, Harriet Tubman escaped to freedom and became a leading figure in the Underground Railroad, risking her life to help hundreds of enslaved people to freedom.
Clinton’s meticulously researched book sheds light on Tubman’s unwavering courage, resilience and dedication to the abolitionist cause. Beyond her role as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, Tubman was also a Civil War spy, nurse and staunch advocate for women’s suffrage, cementing her place amongst the most influential women who changed history. This biography not only honours Tubman’s heroic efforts but is also one of the most illuminating guides through the societal challenges and enduring legacy she left behind.
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The Woman Who Smashed Codes – Jason Fagone
Jason Fagone’s The Woman Who Smashed Codes tells the remarkable story of Elizebeth Smith Friedman, a groundbreaking cryptologist whose work shaped the course of history. In the early twentieth century, Friedman and her husband, William, pioneered modern cryptography. Elizebeth’s knack for decoding complex cyphers played a significant role in combatting Prohibition-era smugglers and defeating Nazi spies during World War II.
Fagone brings her story to life, delving into Friedman’s incredible contributions, often overlooked due to her gender, highlighting her resilience in the face of societal constraints. An inspiring read perfect for anyone looking for biographies of powerful women, The Woman Who Smashed Codes reveals the challenges Friedman overcame as a woman in a male-dominated society and the secrets she unearthed that changed the world.
Rosa Parks: My Story – Rosa Parks & Jim Haskins
Penned by Rosa Parks herself, alongside Jim Haskins, Rosa Parks: My Story documents the life of the woman often labelled ‘the mother of the civil rights movement’. Rosa Parks shares her experiences growing up in the segregated South and the pivotal moment in 1955 when she refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus. This single act of defiance sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a defining moment in the fight for racial equality in America.
Through her own words, Parks provides an intimate perspective on the struggles, triumphs and unyielding determination that marked her life. Her story serves as a testament to the power of quiet strength and is a must-read for those looking for biographies of women who changed history, women pioneers in civil rights and inspirational accounts of courage and activism.
Catherine The Great: Portrait Of A Woman – Robert K. Massie
Catherine II of Russia, a German princess who rose to become one of the most powerful and enlightened rulers of the eighteenth century, is brought to life in Robert K. Massie’s compelling and richly detailed biography, Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman.
Massie delves into Catherine’s extraordinary transformation, from her early struggles in an unhappy marriage to her ambitious rise to the Russian throne. Her reign was marked by monumental achievements including the modernisation of Russia, championing the arts and expanding the empire’s borders. At the same time, Catherine’s personal life was marred by complex relationships and intellectual pursuits, adding depth to her legacy and making this one of the most fascinating biographies of famous women from across history.
Savage Beauty: The Life Of Edna St. Vincent Millay – Nancy Milford
Renowned for her bold spirit and lyrical genius, Edna St. Vincent Millay captivated the literary world in the early twentieth century, becoming the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. Nancy Milford’s biography, Savage Beauty, explores Millay’s remarkable journey, from her unconventional upbringing in rural Maine to her rise as a literary icon of the Jazz Age.
Milford delves into Millay’s complicated personal life, including her passionate relationships, bohemian lifestyle and struggles with fame and substance abuse. Millay’s poetry, defined by its sensuality and fierce independence, is interwoven with the narrative, offering the perfect lens into her creative brilliance. Savage Beauty is one of the most defining works of a trailblazing woman who defied societal norms and lived unapologetically on her own terms.
Cleopatra: A Life – Stacy Schiff
Stacy Schiff’s Cleopatra: A Life is a captivating biography that reimagines the life of one of history’s most legendary women. Known for her intelligence, political savvy and romantic entanglements with the likes of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, Cleopatra VII was far more than a seductress – she was a powerful queen who ruled Ancient Egypt during its most pivotal period.
Schiff’s biography goes beyond the myths and legends, offering a nuanced portrait of Cleopatra as a strategic leader, diplomat and visionary. Drawing on historical sources, Schiff presents a woman who was determined to shield her kingdom from the expanding Roman Empire while also navigating the complexities of love, power and betrayal. Cleopatra: A Life should be a go-to for anyone interested in women who changed the world, powerful female leaders and stories of indelible marks on history.
Marie Curie: A Life – Susan Quinn
Marie Curie: A Life by Susan Quinn is an in-depth biography of one of the most groundbreaking women in science. Lauded for her discovery of the elements polonium and radium, Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to win a Nobel Prize in two scientific fields. Quinn’s impeccably researched work explores Curie’s remarkable achievements in physics and chemistry, her tireless dedication and her struggles as a pioneering woman in a male-dominated field.
Quinn’s work also delves into her mother, widow and humanitarian role. Curie’s story is one of resilience, intellect and unwavering commitment to pursuing knowledge. Her work not only transformed science but also inspired future generations of women to break barriers, making this biography a must-read for anyone interested in biographies of influential women. These women changed history and inspired tales of scientific discovery.
Jane Goodall: The Woman Who Redefined Man – Dale Peterson
Known for her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees in Tanzania, Jane Goodall revolutionised the field of primatology and our understanding of human evolution. In The Woman Who Redefined Man, Dale Peterson takes readers through an intimate journey across Goodall’s early life, her pioneering work in Gombe Stream National Park, and her revolutionary observations of chimpanzee behaviour.
Goodall’s findings challenged long-held scientific beliefs about the animal kingdom and redefined the relationship between humans and animals. Beyond her scientific achievements, Goodall’s story is one of perseverance, compassion and dedication to conservation and animal rights.
Eleanor Roosevelt, Volume 1: The Early Years, 1884-1933 (Eleanor Roosevelt #1) – Blanche Wiesen Cook
Eleanor Roosevelt, Volume 1: The Early Years, 1884-1933 is the first instalment of a groundbreaking biography by Blanche Wiesen Cook that chronicles the early life and transformative career of undoubtedly the most influential first ladies in American history. Known for her tireless advocacy for human rights, social justice and women’s empowerment, Eleanor Roosevelt redefined the role of the First Lady and became a pioneering figure in global diplomacy as well as American politics.
Cook’s biography unveils the complexities of Roosevelt’s personal life, from her challenging childhood and troubled marriage to Franklin D. Roosevelt, to her gradual emergence as a formidable political force in her own right. One of the best biographies of famous women in history, it charts her early involvement in social causes and the development of the deeply held principles that would eventually shape her legacy.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
