One of the most influential and progressive texts of 20th century literary feminism 'A Room of One's Own' is based on Virginia Woolf's Cambridge lectures called 'Women and Fiction' given at two women's colleges, the Arts Society at Newnham and the Odtaa at Girton in October 1928. Virginia Woolf makes her way through the shelves of the British Library, and thus playfully, through the history, education and writing of women in England, their marginalisation and struggle to be creative and defy convention. She analyses as well as exposes Britain as a patriarchal society and androcentric culture, and contrary to widely held assumptions, subtle irony, intelligent humour and wit abound. At the time, Virginia Woolf was just able to have her own, new room at Monk's House in Rodmell which was entirely paid for with money she had earned from her writing. It appears that the room at King's College where the famous luncheon party took place still features decorations described in the essay (which means one could still be accompanied by Vandyck when going to Heaven).

First edition, fifth impression; 8vo (18 x 12.5 cm); unmarked internally; half green morocco by Bumpus, gilt lettering to spine, all edges gilt, spine faded, else very good.