SOURCE: "The 'Annualists'," in The Adventurous Thirties: A Chapter in the Women's Movement, Oxford University Press, London, 1933, pp. 44-90.

In the following essay, Courtney reviews the impact of Norton 's marriage, relationships, social life, and political beliefs on her literary works.

Mrs. Norton has had hard measure, not only in her lifetime but with posterity, ever since George Meredith shaped his Diana of the Crossways upon her model. But, quite apart from the fact that she made a brave fight for the rights of motherhood, and in some degree modified the laws of England on a point vital to women, she deserves a permanent place amongst the writers of her period, and one that is not only due to her position in society.

In the eighteen-thirties, however, social position did count for a very great deal in the world of letters.

It was the Age of the Annuals...