Women's Historical Fiction

Laura Vivanco

Here's Professor Diana Wallace (author of The Woman’s Historical Novel: British Women Writers, 1900-2000) discussing historical fiction written by women. She argues that

historical fiction has been, from its very beginnings, a female form. We tend to forget this because critics so often cite Walter Scott's Waverley (1814) as the first proper historical novel. In fact there's a much earlier novel, Sophia Lee's The Recess, or a Tale of other Times (1783), which has a strong claim to be regarded as the first fully-formed historical novel.

She also discusses Heyer and cross-dressing heroines:



Via the Middlebrow Network comes news that, to "mark 100 years in education," the University of Glamorgan is "offering 20 new Centenary Doctoral Scholarships."

The Scholarships are intended to provide financial support for 20 full-time home or EU students to undertake a PhD at the University beginning this academic year. Bursaries are £15,000 per year available up to 3 years of study, which is not inclusive of fees. (Full time Research Degree fees £3,828 per annum for EU/Home students) 

One scholarship will fund research into:

Women's Historical Fiction, 1920 - 1969

This project will focus on the rich but currently under-researched body of women’s historical fiction produced between 1920 and 1969. By generating historically and theoretically-informed readings of some of the historical fictions of this period, it will aim to contribute to current reassessments of the development of this genre with specific attention to issues of gender and nationality. Within this broad remit applicants are welcome to suggest and develop their own interests in particular authors and texts. Applicants with a specialism in Welsh Writing in English are particularly welcome.

Based in the Division of English, the student will be supervised by an interdisciplinary team comprising Professor Diana Wallace, Professor Jane Aaron and Dr Fiona Reid and will additionally be able to draw on expertise from the Centre for Gender Studies in Wales. In RAE 2008 90% of the English Research Unit’s publications were judged 'internationally-recognised’, with 40% classified as 'world-leading’ or 'internationally-excellent’.

How to apply

Please complete the Research Degree Application Form and return it marked for the attention of Dr Louise Bright by email to researchoffice@glam.ac.uk no later than the 15th October 2012.