Book description
The dramatic and warmly human story of the first woman to earn a university degree
Why read it?
1 author picked The Lady Cornaro as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Elena Cornaro Piscopia holds the title as the first woman in the world to earn a university degree. But she earned it at great cost, and her story breaks my heart every time I recount it to others.
Guernsey pulled me into Elena’s fraught life, from her early intellectual curiosity and prowess, to her self-flagellation after being paraded around as a prodigy. Elena loved learning but hated the spotlight. Her experiences encapsulate what many Early-Modern women had to offer—and had to endure—yet her fortitude ultimately spotlights her resilience and can inspire others.
From Kathleen's list on The best books about undaunted Italian women to inspire you.
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