Olive Schreiner

Dreams Olive Schreiner

Born in South Africa on 24 March 1855, Olive Emilie Albertina Schreiner is best known for her semi-autobiographical novel, The Story of an African Farm (1883). One of twelve children born to a German father and an English mother, Gotlob and Rebecca Schreiner, both missionaries, Olive Schreiner left home at the age of thirteen, to work as a governess. Schreiner's family background was one of upheaval and trauma, largely as a result of her father's constant attempts at 'striking it rich'. Her separation from her parents marked a definite break with her past and her parents' very conservative views. She began writing from an early age and during her time as a governess read voraciously across a number of areas. When she left South Africa for England in 1881, Schreiner took with her the finished manuscript to The Story of An African Farm. Although initially unable to secure its publication, Olive Schreiner would, in 1883, rise to prominence within English literary circles with the appearance of what has become one of the most accomplished works of settler writing from Africa. For the rest of her stay in England, and until her return to South Africa in 1889, Schreiner remained active in literary and political spheres, soon developing a reputation as an outspoken and passionate advocate of the less privileged in society. Upon her return to Africa, Schreiner married Samuel Cronwright. She immersed herself in the South African and imperial politics of the day, writing and campaigning actively against colonialism, the oppression of women (she is often seen as one of the earliest feminist writers, in the manner of a Virginia Wolf) and in the earlier part of this century, manifesting her opposition to the First World War. Possessed of a sharp intelligence and an indefatigable determination, Schreiner was a prolific essay writer, constantly engaging in heated polemics on behalf of the many causes she adopted. She died in 1920.

The similarities between her life and that of a later Southern African writer, Doris Lessing, are at times astonishing. Both left Africa for England in search of a publisher for their first works; both soon received the acclaim of the English literary establishment. Like Schreiner, Lessing too has come to be known as a committed and relentless campaigner for the 'underdog'. Unlike Doris Lessing, however, Olive Schreiner returned to South Africa after her initial successes in England.