Joanna Russ

American author (1937-2011)

Joanna Russ wrote at a period when the terms of literature itself were being argued over.

The record lists Joanna Russ as American author (1937-2011).

Joanna Russ was born at New York City in 1937. Her recorded nationality is United States. She was educated at Cornell University and Yale School of Drama.

Twentieth-century writing was shaped by war, exile and translation; many of its major careers were conducted across more than one language and country.

She worked as writer, novelist and university teacher.

The writing is recorded in English.

Her work is classed as feminist science fiction.

Among her best-known works are When It Changed, The Female Man and How to Suppress Women's Writing. Books outlive their reviews, and the ones that last are seldom the ones that sold best.

The honours record reads: Nebula Award for Best Short Story (1973) and Hugo Award for Best Novella (1983).

That the work was written from United States matters: language, censorship and the reach of a publishing industry decide which books travel and which stay local.

Joanna Russ died in 2011, aged 74. The books remain, which is the only durable form a writing life takes.

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