Olive Schreiner

Olive Schreiner Biography

Discover the fascinating biography and a collection of 5 Olive Schreiner books available for free download on your favorite devices. Whether you have an iPhone, iPad, Android, or Kindle, you can enjoy these literary treasures in PDF and all popular eBook reader formats, including AZW3, EPUB, and MOBI.

Olive Schreiner (1855–1920) was a South African author, feminist, and political activist, known for her pioneering works on gender, race, and class. Born in the Cape Colony to missionary parents, she grew up in a deeply religious but impoverished household, shaping her critical perspective on societal norms. Schreiner's most acclaimed novel, The Story of an African Farm (1883), challenged Victorian conventions and explored themes of individuality, spirituality, and women’s emancipation.

A vocal critic of imperialism and colonialism, Schreiner opposed segregationist policies in South Africa and supported the Boer cause during the South African War (1899–1902). Her essays, including Woman and Labour (1911), are foundational feminist texts advocating for gender equality. Schreiner’s health struggles and personal tragedies infused her writings with profound emotional depth. A visionary thinker, she remains celebrated for her literary achievements and her contributions to social justice and human rights.