An Improper Profession: Women, Gender, and Journalism in Late Imperial Russia [Paperback]

Barbara T. Norton (Editor), Jehanne M. Gheith (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 23, 2001

Journalism has long been a major factor in defining the opinions of Russia’s literate classes. Although women participated in nearly every aspect of the journalistic process during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, female editors, publishers, and writers have been consistently omitted from the history of journalism in Imperial Russia. An Improper Profession offers a more complete and accurate picture of this history by examining the work of these under-appreciated professionals and showing how their involvement helped to formulate public opinion.

In this collection, contributors explore how early women journalists contributed to changing cultural understandings of women’s roles, as well as how class and gender politics meshed in the work of particular individuals. They also examine how female journalists adapted to—or challenged—censorship as political structures in Russia shifted. Over the course of this volume, contributors discuss the attitudes of female Russian journalists toward socialism, Russian nationalism, anti-Semitism, women’s rights, and suffrage. Covering the period from the early 1800s to 1917, this collection includes essays that draw from archival as well as published materials and that range from biography to literary and historical analysis of journalistic diaries.

By disrupting conventional ideas about journalism and gender in late Imperial Russia, An Improper Profession should be of vital interest to scholars of women’s history, journalism, and Russian history.

Contributors. Linda Harriet Edmondson, June Pachuta Farris, Jehanne M Gheith, Adele Lindenmeyr, Carolyn Marks, Barbara T. Norton, Miranda Beaven Remnek, Christine Ruane, Rochelle Ruthchild, Mary Zirin

Editorial Reviews

Review

“[C]ompelling . . . . [A] welcome contribution to the fields of both Russian and women’s history. In addition to rescuing a number of intriguing figures from historical anonymity and casting a new light on Russian journalism at a critical juncture, An Improper Profession reminds scholars that women’s history is about more than just adding women into a pre-existing stagnant history. Through sound research and analysis the contributors add credence to the argument that in studying the role of women in the past, historians necessarily and continually redefine traditional fields of study.” - Lynne Hartnett, The Russian Review

“[A] welcome addition to Russian gender studies and the history of Russian print culture. The scope of the volume is greater than the title suggests. . . . [A] fresh evaluation . . . . An Improper Profession will undoubtedly encourage further stimulating studies of women and gender in Russian journalism.” - Judith Vowles, Slavic Review

"This impressive collection of essays fills an important lacuna in the study of late imperial Russia. . . . Using solid research methodologies, the authors reveal much new important information about the status of Russian women. . . . This collection is very coherent. Each essay flows into the next, following a loosely chronological structure. The choice of topics create a rich tapestry that does much to further our understanding of the complexities of both women and journalism in the period. . . . This volume is highly recommended for students not only of gender and journalism, but of Late Imperial Russian culture and society as well." - Paul du Quenoy, Canadian Slavonic Papers

"[A]ccessibly and invitingly written. . . ."
- Catriona Kelly, American Historical Review

"[A] substantial and absorbing collection of articles. . . . An Improper Profession is a richly conceived and elegantly constructed interdisciplinary volume. . . . The collection will be good reading for several audiences—students in literature, history or area studies courses, specialists in the same fields, and anyone interested in gender studies, women’s studies, the history of journalism, or Russian history and culture." - Sibelan Forrester, Slavic and East European Journal

"[A] valuable contribution to our understanding of Russian society. . . . These authors have tremendously extended our knowledge of the diverse and growing forms of women's participation in Russian journalism." - Harley D. Balzer, Journal of Social History

“A major contribution to the field of Slavic studies. A work such as this gives scholars a place from which we can begin to rewrite and reconstruct women’s role in Russian politics and culture in prerevolutionary times. This is a prodigious work of scholarship.”— Adele Barker, editor of Consuming Russia: Popular Culture, Sex, and Society since Gorbachev

From the Publisher

“A major contribution to the field of Slavic studies. A work such as this gives scholars a place from which we can begin to rewrite and reconstruct women’s role in Russian politics and culture in prerevolutionary times. This is a prodigious work of scholarship.”— Adele Barker, editor of Consuming Russia: Popular Culture, Sex, and Society since Gorbachev --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Duke University Press Books (May 23, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822325853
• ISBN-13: 978-0822325857
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,216,585 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)