Martineau, << MAHR tih `noh,` >> Harriet (1802-1876), was a British writer and social reformer who wrote widely on economic, philosophic, and social issues. She became famous for a series of stories called Illustrations of Political Economy. These stories, published between 1832 and 1834, explained economics for the ordinary reader. Martineau also wrote biographies, essays, fiction, history, poetry, religious works, and children’s stories.
In her writings, Martineau opposed cruel treatment of children in factories and supported voting rights for women. She also called for better education and health care for the poor and the mentally ill. From 1834 to 1836, she traveled in the United States. She met leading abolitionists and became a strong opponent of slavery. She attacked slavery in her book Society in America (1837).
Martineau was born in Norwich, England. She was educated at home because of poor health. Her father died in 1826, and she began writing to support herself. She wrote more than 30 books and thousands of articles in spite of nearly constant illness.
