Philip's Phoenix: Mary Sidney, Countess of Pembroke [Hardcover]

Margaret P. Hannay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 18, 1990 | ISBN-10: 0195057791 | ISBN-13: 978-0195057799 | Edition: 1St Edition

In contrast to previous studies that have portrayed Mary Sidney as a demure, retiring woman, this biography shows that she was actually an outspoken and dynamic figure. Basing her work on primary sources including account books, legal documents, diaries, and family letters, Hannay shows that Sidney was a vibrant, eloquent, self-assertive woman who was deeply involved in Protestant politics. Although she did confine her writings to appropriately feminine genres, she called herself "Sister of Philip Sidney" to establish a literary and political identity. As a Phoenix rising from her brother's ashes, she transcended gender restrictions by publishing her brother's writings, by writing and translating works which he would have approved, by assuming his role as literary patron, and by supporting the cause for which he died. Hannay also reveals--via court cases--that in her final years the countess turned from literary to administrative responsibilities, contending with jewel thieves, pirates, and murderers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hannay's impressive book is a no-nonsense literary biography of one of the most important women on the literary scene of the time."--Recent Studies in English Renaissance

"Hannay's book is very rewarding to read...thorough and meticulous primary research."--Renaissance Quarterly

"An invaluable resource for some years to come."--Literary History

"This important biography of a leading early modern woman writer will be an extremely useful resource: it is packed with detail, and includes five previously unknown and unpublished letters by the Countess of Pembroke....[I]t is a highly impressive work of scholarship."--Notes and Queries

"A biography that is at once more candid, clearer, and more comprehensive than any we have had before."--Sixteenth Century Journal

About the Author

Margaret P. Hannay is at Siena College, Londonville, New York.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 346 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1St Edition edition (January 18, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195057791
• ISBN-13: 978-0195057799
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,396,825 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, well-written account of Mary's life and works, February 12, 1998

By 

E. Stein (Bedford, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Philip's Phoenix: Mary Sidney, Countess of Pembroke (Hardcover)

Crucial for anyone writing about the Sidneys, this book is balanced, fascinating and readable. Hannay's impeccable research includes the religious background, which is somewhat rare among Sidneyians; she doesn't waste time on speculation, which is the abiding fault of Duncan-Jones' biography of Philip Sidney. I can't wait for Hannay's edition of the Countess's works.