Samantha on the Woman Question

‘Samantha on the Woman Question’ (1913) was written by best-selling American writer and humourist Marietta Holley and tells the story of Samantha and her husband Josiah as they attend a reunion of the Allen family in Washington.

Holley’s hugely successful series of Samantha books focus on the character of the sage, small-town woman, Samantha Allen, and her satirical escapades across America with her half-witted husband, Josiah Allen.

Famously filled with simple, opinionated, comic characters that pointed out the absurdities of American society at the time, her works shine a light on topical issues such as women's suffrage, racism, class divisions, temperance, and the treatment of women.

Marietta Holley (1836–1926) was an American best-selling author and humourist who used satire to comment on U.S. society and politics.

She began her literary career writing for newspapers and women’s magazines before publishing her first novel, ‘My Opinions and Betsy Bobbet’s’ in 1873.

Holley went on to write over 20 novels, including ‘Round the World with Samantha at the Centennial’ (1876), ‘My Wayward Pardner’ (1880), ‘Miss Richard's Boy’ (1882), and ‘Josiah Allen's Wife’ (1899).

Her works popularised women’s rights and criticised sexual double standards and the exploitation of labour. Often compared to Mark Twain, Marietta Holley is one of America's great female humorists.