Harriet Martineau (1802-1876) was a British writer who was one of the first social theorists to examine all aspects of a society, including class, religion, national character and the status of women. These volumes, first published in 1877, contain Martineau's unusual autobiography. Written in three months in 1855 when Martineau believed herself to be dying of heart disease, the original two volumes remained unaltered despite her recovery. The third volume, covering the remainder of Martineau's life, was written by friend literary executor Maria Western Chapman, using her first-hand knowledge and access to Martineau's private papers. These volumes were the first substantial published account of Martineau's life and work, and remain a remarkable example of the genre for Martineau's vivd descriptions and candid, outspoken opinions of Victorian society. For more information on this author, see http://orlando.cambridge.org/public/svPeople?person_id=martha