Death of Elisavet Moutzan-Martinegou

Elisavet Moutzan-Martinegou (1801-1832) dedicated her life to writing, and yet she never saw any of her work published. In 1881, many years after her death, her son published a censored version of her autobiography, one of the very first scripts in modern Greek literature that uses experience as means of literary expression.
The author spoke about women’s oppression and gender determination in male-dominated Eptanisa (Ionian islands) and boldly stated her aversion to marriage and married life, choosing her dedication to studies and writing instead.
Her literary work established her as a pioneer of women’s movement, which gained momentum in the following years. She died very young, in 1832, shortly after the birth of her son.