Oroonoko

Biographie d'Aphra Behn

Born in the first few decades of the seventeenth century, Aphra Behn is one of early literature's best-known female writers. Behn had the lucky distinction of being able to support herself strictly by her "pen, " something unheard of for women of her time. Throughout her long career, she wrote in various forms-poetry, plays, prose-and is known as a member of the 'fair triumvirate of wit' alongside fellow scribes Eliza Haywood and Delarivier Manley.
Although little is known about her early life, Behn's father held a post as lieutenant governor of Surinam, and Behn's experiences during her stay most likely formed the basis for her most famous work, Oroonoko. Behn was also a popular dramatist in her time, penning critical successes like The Rover and The Feigned Courtesans. Her literary exploits aside, Behn is also known to have acted as a political spy for King Charles II of England during the Second Anglo-Dutch War.
Behn died in 1689, and is buried in Westminster Abbey.