Transnational Feminism in Nineteenth-Century Swedish Literature and Periodical Culture

Grounded in late nineteenth-century Swedish literature and periodical culture, yet seen through a transnational lens, this book retraces the origins and early developments of Swedish feminism in the eyes, actions, and interactions of a selection of key literary women activists.

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Fredrika Bremer (1801–1865) reached to the world beyond her native Sweden. Her promotion of women’s emancipation was celebrated and pursued by Sophie Adlersparre (1823–1895), Rosalie Olivecrona (1823–1898), and Alma Åkermark (1853–1933). From dreams to projects involving collaboration with Britain, France, and Germany, in translation, literature, and periodical editing, this book unearths exciting transnational connections that contributed to the awakening of the Nordic feminist movement. Shedding light on the circulation of liberal ideas, Marxist theory, and the Nordic debate, the three chapters of the book focus on cultural variation, constructive conflicts, mutual (mis)understandings, and class issues. Such a journey through the intricacies of early Nordic feminism from a European perspective is finally available in English.