LEER PARA VIVIR, ESCRIBIR PARA CONTARLO: LECTORAS Y ESCRITORAS EN EL SIGLO XIX.

This article examines the changes that occurred in 19th century Spain in the book industry and education and how these circumstances contributed to more women taking up the pen. During that period the industrial revolution profoundly affected the publishing industry, resulting in fundamental changes to the production, distribution and access to books. This resulted in a proliferation of both titles and print runs, increasing access to books and the possibility of a larger segment of the population to read them. The 19th century also saw the democratisation of access to education, allowing new social groups to receive a basic education, increasing literacy. This new context encouraged a group of brave women to publish their writing and even attempt to influence public opinion through articles published in the press. Access to education and reading opened the eyes of these courageous women, allowing them to learn about the lives of others and encouraging them to write about their own stories and thus leave a testimony of their struggles and hopes that ultimately paved the way for numerous other women writers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]