Childhood & Early Life
Germaine Greer was born in Melbourne, Australia. She attended the Irish Catholic Convent Star of the Sea College and was awarded the teaching scholarship in 1956.
She graduated from the University of Melbourne with a degree in English, French and literature. She began her career in academics as a lecturer at the University of Sydney.
In 1963, she graduated from the University of Sydney with an M.A. in romantic poetry. The following year she was awarded the Commonwealth Scholarship and pursued her PhD.
In 1968, she obtained her PhD. in Elizabethan drama from the University of Cambridge. Her doctoral thesis was titled ‘The Ethic of Love and Marriage in Shakespeare's early comedies’.
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Career
In October 1970, her book ‘The Female Eunuch’ was published in London. It is one of her bestselling works and has sold many copies across the world.
In 1972, she co-anchored the comedy TV show, ‘Nice Time’ and that year she also authored a column for ‘The Sunday Times’ and travelled to Bangladesh to observe the situation of women who were raped during the conflict with Pakistan.
In the mid-1970s she was seen on the American public affairs show ‘Firing Line’, which was hosted by conservative William F. Buckley, Jr., who appreciated her for the way she carried herself on the show.
In 1979, she was selected for the post of Director of the Center of the Study of Women's Literature, at the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
In 1979, her second book, ‘The Obstacle Race: The Fortunes of Women Painters and Their Work’ was published. The book covers the details of woman painters and their work until the 19th century.
From 1981 to 1982, she served as the founding editor of the journal, ‘Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature’, a University of Tulsa publication that was dedicated to the study of feminist literature and theory.
In 1984, her book titled ‘Sex and Destiny: The Politics of Human Fertility’ was published. The book was a critique of the Western attitudes and their imposition of birth control on the Third World countries.
In 1986, she came out with the book ‘Shakespeare’, which was a work of literary criticism and the same year, her other book ‘The Madwoman's Underclothes: Essays and Occasional Writings’, was published.
Published in 1989, ‘Daddy, We Hardly Knew You’, written in a diary and travelogue format, was a work depicting her father and the relationship she shared with him, which she described as distant and cold.
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In 1991, her book, ‘The Change: Women, Ageing, and the Menopause’ was published. In the book, she addressed the various myths regarding menopause and the publication received positive reviews from The New York Times.
Published in 1995, ‘Slip-Shod Sibyls: Recognition, Rejection and the Woman Poet’ was a book on women poets in the 1900s and also enquired the fact why there were so few woman poets in that era.
In 1999, she came out with ‘The Whole Woman’, which was a sequel to her previously published book ‘The Female Eunuch’. In the book she explains the various forms of discrimination and exploitation which women undergo.
In 2003, her book ‘The Beautiful Boy’ also known as ‘The Boy’ was published. The same year, she came out with ‘Whitefella Jump Up: The Shortest Way to Nationhood’.
In 2007, she contributed an essay for the book ‘Stella Vine: Paintings’ and in May of the same year, she participated in the public talk, titled ‘Gender & Culture’, which was a part of the Women's International Arts Festival.
In 2007, she published the book titled ‘Shakespeare's Wife’, a biographical account on the life of Ann Hathaway, the wife of William Shakespeare. In the book, she also delves on the concept of female independence.
In 2008, she authored an essay titled ‘On Rage’, which was published by the Melbourne University Publishing, in the series titled ‘Little Books on Big Themes’.
In 2011, she played herself in the British mockumentary comedy series, ‘Come Fly with Me,’ directed by Paul King. The show was created by Matt Lucas and David Walliams.
Facts About Germaine Greer
Germaine Greer is a leading feminist author and academic known for her groundbreaking work in feminist theory and women's studies.
She gained international recognition for her influential book "The Female Eunuch," which challenged traditional gender roles and sparked important conversations about gender equality.
In addition to her work as a writer, Greer has also been active in environmental and animal rights causes, showcasing her passion for social justice and activism.
Greer has a keen interest in gardening and has written several books on the subject, showcasing her diverse range of interests and talents.
Despite controversy surrounding some of her views and statements, Greer continues to be a prominent figure in the feminist movement and a respected voice in academia.
