Famous Authors: The Bronte Sisters

This video, part of the Famous Authors series, examines the lives and careers of Victorian British writers Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte, three sisters who defied their social odds to become successful. Growing up in Yorkshire, England, the Bronte sisters discovered early in their lives that they had a penchant for the written word. Unable to get published because of their gender, all three sisters were forced to adopt pseudonyms (all of them taking the last name Bell). Their new names allowed them the freedom and anonymity they needed to get published. Charlotte is most known for her quintessential love story Jane Eyre, but she also wrote the novels Villette and Shirley. Emily is famous for her only novel, the passionate and poetic Wuthering Heights. Anne published the novels Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. All three sisters helped contribute to the success of the Victorian romantic novel.