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Marion Harland, the pen name of Mary Virginia Terhune (1830-1922), was a prolific American author, renowned for her domestic writings and novels that resonated with the sensibilities and challenges of the 19th-century woman. Born in Amelia County, Virginia, she began her literary career in 1853 with the publication of 'Alone', a book that quickly gained popularity and established her reputation as a writer of domestic fiction. Harland's writing career spanned nearly seventy years, during which she authored numerous books, including 'Loitering in Pleasant Paths', a title reflective of her evocative and often idyllic portrayal of everyday life. As a forward-thinking woman, her works frequently explored the expectations placed upon women of her time, while advocating for their education and personal development. Harland's literary style has been characterized by its engaging narrative and emphasis on moralistic and sentimental themes, which were common in the literature of her era. Apart from fiction, she also contributed cookbooks, advice manuals, and articles to periodicals, expanding her influence upon American domestic culture. Her books remained popular into the early 20th century, and today, they are studied as examples of the cultural values of her time and the role of women in American literary history.
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