Based on the way society is reflected in nineteenth century novels and short stories, the doctrine of separate spheres sought to restrict women's rights while simultaneously glorified women and praised the family in an era of individualism. Although the women's emancipation movement of the late nineteenth century contributed to the transformation of women's social roles, it did not reject a separate, unique female identity. Thus the latter half of the 19th century was a time of remarkable change and emancipation for Romanian women with regard to political engagement, legal status, access to higher education, and their entrance into the professions and public life. In addition, their visibility in the professional world of literature and arts enabled them to start forging a tradition of their own. The present article focuses not only on the writings of canonical writers (Sofia Nadejde, Veronica Micle) but also on a number of writers who were neglected by critics, like Eugenia Ianculescu de Reuss, Constanta Hodos, Emilia Lungu, Adela Xenopol, Constanta Marino-Moscu, Smaranda Gheorghiu; those who wrote their work in foreign languages, (Martha Bibescu, Elena Vacarescu, Dora d'Istria), the foreign born writers Maria Rosetti, Otilia Marchis, Bucura Dumbrava, the queens, Elisabeth (Elisabeta de Neuwied, Queen of Romania) and Marie of Romania (Marie Alexandra Victoria, previously Princess Marie of Edinburgh).
