On the origins of Dutch women's historiography: three portraits (1840-1970)

Some years ago Nathalie Z. Davis and Bonnie G. Smith were considering the historiographical roots of women’s history. ¹ They laid emphasis on the contributions of former women writers in several historical genres, such as biographies, historical novels and social history. ² Most of these women devoted at least some of their studies to the history of women, or wrote about the prevailing customs and morals concerning their sex. In this way they contributed a great deal of information which is still relevant today. However, their work has been underestimated; few of the women scholars’ names are known, and they deserve more recognition than has so far been forthcoming. ³ The obscurity of women historians seems to be one of the most dramatic features of women’s history. To neglect these contributions would be to neglect an important part of women’s history.