The rare books collection includes several significant titles authored by women spanning nearly 500 years. Since the founding of the university in 1871, these books have been acquired for research and learning on campus, through donations from alumni and supporters of Special Collections, and as part of special libraries created by prominent individuals. Subjects from women authors in rare books range from poetry and treatises on women in society from Renaissance era Europe to landmark works of fiction and writing on abolitionism and suffrage by activists and social reformers. 

This page is organized by authors' country of origin. The books linked on this page represent a selection from the rare books collection-- for a comprehensive bibliography, please see the PDF bibliography below.