# Olive Schreiner

> South African author and pacifist (1855-1920)

**Wikidata**: [Q151180](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q151180)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_Schreiner)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/olive-schreiner

## Summary

Olive Schreiner was a South African author and pacifist who lived from 1855 to 1920. She is best known as a writer and sociologist whose literary works and advocacy for peace left a lasting impact on South African literature and political thought. Schreiner is recognized as a pioneering female voice in South African letters and as one of the earliest prominent advocates for pacifism in South Africa.

## Biography

- **Born:** 1855
- **Nationality:** South African
- **Education:** Not specified in source material
- **Known for:** Literary works and pacifist advocacy in South Africa
- **Employer(s):** Not specified in source material
- **Field(s):** Writing, Sociology, Pacifism

## Contributions

Olive Schreiner contributed to South African literature through her written works, using her platform to advocate for peace and social issues. As a sociologist, she applied analytical perspectives to South African society in her writing. Her literary output established her as a significant voice in early South African literature, while her pacifist activities positioned her as a pioneer in the peace movement in South Africa. The Olive Schreiner Prize, established in 1964 in South Africa, serves as a lasting recognition of her contributions to literature.

## FAQs

**What is Olive Schreiner best known for?**
Olive Schreiner is best known as a South African author and pacifist whose literary works and advocacy for peace made her a pioneering figure in South African literature and the early peace movement in South Africa.

**What aliases did Olive Schreiner use?**
Olive Schreiner wrote under several aliases including Ralph Iron, and her full name appeared as Olive Emily Albertina Schreiner, Olive Emilie Albertina Schreiner, and Olive (Emilie Albertina) Schreiner.

**What recognition exists for Olive Schreiner's contributions?**
The Olive Schreiner Prize was established in 1964 in South Africa to honor her literary contributions and legacy.

**What fields did Olive Schreiner work in?**
Olive Schreiner worked primarily as a writer and sociologist, applying her analytical skills to examine South African society while also serving as a prominent pacifist advocate.

**Why is Olive Schreiner historically significant?**
Olive Schreiner is historically significant as one of the earliest prominent female voices in South African literature and as a pioneer in the pacifist movement in South Africa during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

## Why They Matter

Olive Schreiner matters as a foundational figure in South African literary history who used her platform to advocate for peace and social consciousness. Her work as both a writer and sociologist provided early analytical perspectives on South African society at a time when such voices were rare, particularly those of women. Her commitment to pacifism established her as a pioneer in the peace movement, setting a precedent for future activists in South Africa. The establishment of the Olive Schreiner Prize in 1964 demonstrates the lasting recognition of her contributions to South African literature and culture. Without her early advocacy and literary output, the landscape of South African writing and peace activism would lack an important foundational voice from the late Victorian era.

## Notable For

- Being a pioneering South African author and pacifist (1855-1920)
- Writing under the alias Ralph Iron
- Working as both a writer and sociologist
- Having the Olive Schreiner Prize established in her honor in 1964
- Being recognized as an early voice for peace in South Africa
- Contributing to the foundation of South African literary tradition

## Body

### Early Life and Background

Olive Schreiner was born in 1855 in South Africa, a country that would become the central setting for her literary and activist work. Growing up in the colonial environment of South Africa during the 19th century, Schreiner developed a nuanced understanding of the social dynamics and tensions present in the region during that era.

### Literary Career

As a writer, Olive Schreiner used written words to communicate ideas and produce literary works, establishing herself as a significant figure in South African literature. Her work as a writer placed her among the early literary voices from South Africa who gained international recognition. Schreiner wrote under her own name as well as the alias Ralph Iron, a pen name that allowed her to navigate the literary world of the time. Her full name appeared in various forms including Olive Emily Albertina Schreiner, Olive Emilie Albertina Schreiner, and Olive (Emilie Albertina) Schreiner.

### Academic Work

Beyond her literary pursuits, Schreiner worked as a scientist in sociology, applying analytical methods to examine South African society. This dual identity as both a creative writer and a social scientist distinguished her contributions and provided her with unique perspectives that informed her literary output.

### Pacifism and Activism

Schreiner's role as a pacifist represented a significant aspect of her legacy. As an advocate for peace, she became one of the earliest prominent voices calling for peaceful resolution of conflicts in South Africa and beyond. Her pacifist stance positioned her as a pioneer in the peace movement during a period when such views were not widely accepted.

### Legacy and Recognition

The lasting impact of Olive Schreiner's work is evidenced by the establishment of the Olive Schreiner Prize in 1964, a recognition that continues to honor literary achievement in South Africa. This prize, specifically associated with South Africa, serves as a testament to her enduring influence on South African literature and culture. With a wikidata sitelink count of 39, Schreiner maintains a notable digital presence that reflects her continued relevance. Her wikipedia entry under the title "Olive Schreiner" documents her life as a South African author and pacifist who lived from 1855 to 1920, preserving her story as part of the broader historical record of significant figures from South Africa.

## References

1. Dictionary of African Biography
2. Encyclopædia Britannica
3. BnF authorities
4. [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_Schreiner)
5. The Feminist Companion to Literature in English
6. Library of the World's Best Literature
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. CiNii Research
9. [Source](https://norman.hrc.utexas.edu/fasearch/findingAid.cfm?eadid=00650)
10. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
11. SNAC
12. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
13. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
14. A historical dictionary of British women
15. Third World Women's Literatures
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. Czech National Authority Database
18. Virtual International Authority File
19. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index14.html)
20. [Source](https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-476-03702-2_335)
21. [Source](https://www.agspak-buecher.de/G-Notz-Hg-Wegbereiterinnen-Beruehmte-und-zu-Unrecht-vergessene-Frauen-aus-der-Geschichte)
22. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
23. LIBRIS. 2013
24. [Source](https://www.hilobrow.com/sisters/)
25. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
26. Catalogo of the National Library of India