Maria Anais Nin

Cuban-French writer whose innovative diaries challenged literary norms and influenced feminist thought

Maria Anais Nin (1903-1977) was a visionary writer and diarist who redefined personal narrative through her groundbreaking works. Born in Paris to Cuban parents, she began writing at age 11 and published her first diary <《House of Incest》> in 1932 under a male pseudonym to avoid gender bias. Her stream-of-consciousness style and exploration of female sexuality broke taboos in mid-20th century literature.

Nin's seven-volume diary series, published between 1966-1974, became a landmark in feminist literature. These works exposed her complex relationships with famous contemporaries like Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin's own fluid sexuality. Her 1944 essay collection <《Summer of ANight》> argued for women's right to sexual autonomy, influencing second-wave feminists.

Less known is her role in founding the Obra Obscura Press in 1948, which published works by marginalized authors. She also created the Creative Institute in New York (1966), offering workshops to aspiring writers. Nin's legacy includes over 30 published works and her papers housed at the Newberry Library.