Ten of the best feminists in literature & beyond

Helen Lewis is deputy editor of the New Statesman. One figure on her list of the ten best feminists in literature and beyond:

Mary Beard

Any young woman having a hard time at school or university should ask herself: “What would Mary Beard do?” The answer is usually: read another book, don’t worry about what your hair looks like, and take no crap from anybody. The Cambridge professor of classics memorably stood up to internet trolls by refusing to be ashamed when they made lewd jokes about her age and her body. She has recently opposed the trend among university societies for censoring feminists who have the “wrong” opinions on sex-work and gender. Just as importantly, Professor Beard makes it cool to be clever.

Read about another entry on the list.

Learn about Mary Beard's six best books.

The Page 99 Test: The Roman Triumph.

The Page 99 Test: The Fires of Vesuvius.

--Marshal Zeringue