Virginia Woolf: A Life from Beginning to End

Virginia Woolf ranks among the most influential writers of the twentieth century. Embracing the Post-Impressionist times in which she lived, her novels reflect the artistic shift from romanticism to abstract. Plot mattered very little to Woolf. Her writing was a stream of consciousness outside of time and place. Her novels, including her best-known work, Mrs. Dalloway, invariably dwell on gender roles and the concept of reality.

Woolf suffered from mental illness throughout her life. Her inner torment formed the basis of much of her writing. Virginia made multiple suicide attempts and was institutionalized several times throughout her life as she feared a loss of control due to her increasing depression and manic episodes. Her husband, Leonard Woolf, with whom she had mainly a platonic relationship, remained supportive of her until her death.

On March 28, 1941, Virginia Woolf walked into the River Ouse wearing a heavy coat with pockets filled with rocks. Her body was found three weeks later.