Maria Ioranu

In the 19th century, Romania - the presence of women as translators or authors was felt from 1835, when Catinca Sâmboteanu translated a book on morals, and not a scientific or educational one, as would have been expected. Elisabeta Știrbei, wife of the future ruler Barbu Știrbei, translated and published in 1839 the work "The Education of Children" by Jeanne-Louise Campan. The princess's translation was reprinted ten years later; her concerns being closely linked to the measures taken to modernise society. At that time, translations of works of a recreational nature were favoured, and by 1860 only a few women managed to make a name for themselves in this field: Alexandrina Magheru, Ecaterina Bilciurescu, Sofia Cocea, Maria Ioranu, Maria Burada. With a few exceptions, these ladies were not born into the great noble families, coming mostly from the bourgeoisie in formation.