Ouida

Date of Birth: January 1, 1839

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: January 25, 1908

Biography

Ouida, the pen name of Maria Louise Ramé, was a prolific English novelist in the 19th century. Born on January 1, 1839, in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, England, she published over 40 novels, many of them characterized by vivid imagination and a flair for dramatic storytelling. Her career began with the novel “Held in Bondage” in 1863, which was well-received and set the stage for her subsequent success. Ouida’s novels often explored themes of social criticism, romance, and adventure, and she became known for her extravagant lifestyle, which mirrored the opulence and excess of her characters. Despite her literary success, Ouida faced financial difficulties later in life, living in Italy where she died on January 25, 1908, in Viareggio.

5 Interesting Facts about Ouida

1. Ouida was the pseudonym of Maria Louise Ramé, derived from her childhood pronunciation of her given name, “Louise.”

2. She wrote more than 40 novels and numerous short stories and essays.

3. Ouida was known for her extravagant lifestyle, which included lavish parties and a large number of pets, especially dogs.

4. Despite her success, she died in relative poverty due to her lavish spending habits.

5. Ouida’s works were known for their vivid descriptions and complex, often larger-than-life characters.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ouida

1. “Fame is the thirst of youth.”

2. “An easy-going husband is the one indispensable comfort of life.”

3. “Petty laws breed great crimes.”

4. “A cruel story runs on wheels, and every hand oils the wheels as they run.”

5. “The longest absence is less perilous to love than the terrible trials of incessant proximity.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Ouida’s highest net worth is not precisely documented, but she earned substantial sums from her novels during her peak, though she died in poverty due to her extravagant lifestyle.