Amy Levy

Date of Birth: November 10, 1861

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: September 10, 1889

Biography

Amy Levy was a British poet and novelist born on November 10, 1861, in Clapham, London. She was the second of seven children in a Jewish family and showed an early talent for writing. Levy was educated at Brighton High School and later attended Newnham College, Cambridge, becoming the first Jewish woman to attend the institution. Her literary career began with contributions to periodicals while still a student, and she published her first poetry collection, “Xantippe and Other Verse,” in 1881. Levy was known for her progressive views and her exploration of themes like women’s rights, Jewish identity, and the struggles of urban life. Her notable works include the novels “Reuben Sachs” and “The Romance of a Shop.” Despite her literary achievements, Levy struggled with depression and faced the challenges of being a woman writer in a male-dominated field. Tragically, she took her own life on September 10, 1889, at the age of 27.

5 Interesting Facts about Amy Levy

1. Amy Levy was the first Jewish woman to attend Newnham College, Cambridge.

2. She was a close friend of the writer Vernon Lee (Violet Paget), who influenced her work.

3. Levy was an advocate for women’s rights and often explored feminist themes in her writings.

4. She published her first poetry collection, “Xantippe and Other Verse,” at the age of 20.

5. Levy was a contributor to several periodicals, including “The Gentleman’s Magazine” and “The Jewish Chronicle.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Amy Levy

1. “A lover is a man who tries to be more amiable than it is possible for him to be.”

2. “We are no more content to plod along the beaten paths – we want something more, something higher, and we are striving for it.”

3. “I wonder if it is possible to have a friend one would not grow tired of.”

4. “The happiest women, like the happiest nations, have no history.”

5. “I, who am dying of a thousand wounds, yet dare to hope.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Amy Levy did not achieve significant financial wealth during her lifetime. Her literary work was more critically acclaimed than financially rewarding.