Born on October 22, 1919, in Kermanshah, Iran (then Persia), Doris Lessing emerged as one of the 20th century’s most fearless literary voices. Best known for her groundbreaking novel The Golden Notebook, Lessing’s work challenged societal norms, explored psychological depth, and gave powerful voice to women’s struggles in a rapidly changing world.
Raised in colonial Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Lessing’s early experiences with imperialism, gender inequality, and political repression deeply influenced her writing. As a novelist, political thinker, and feminist icon, she defied conventions—often blending realism with science fiction, as seen in her Canopus in Argos series.
Lessing rejected labels, yet she became a role model for generations of independent women, intellectuals, and dissenters. Her fearless critiques of patriarchy, racism, and authoritarianism positioned her as a moral compass in turbulent times.
In 2007, at age 87, Doris Lessing became the oldest person to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, celebrated for her “epicist of the female experience.” She passed away in 2013, but her legacy endures—in classrooms, libraries, and the hearts of readers worldwide.
