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A book of women's verse
"A Book of Women's Verse" by Sir John Collings Squire is a collection of poetry edited with a prefatory essay, written in the early 20th century. This anthology seeks to bring attention to the contributions of women poets throughout history, acknowledging both celebrated and lesser-known voices. The work addresses themes of gender and literary recognition, with an emphasis on the evolution of women’s roles in literature. The opening of the anthology begins with an exploration of the motivations behind compiling this collection, highlighting societal curiosity towards women's contributions to the arts. Squire reflects on previous collections of women's poems, providing a critical overview of their merits and shortcomings. He shares insights about the historical context in which women writers operated, noting the challenges they faced and the self-consciousness often present in their works. The preface sets the stage for an inclusive collection that aims to celebrate the diverse voices of women poets, inviting readers to reconsider their literary significance.