Francesca Wade
Author of Square Haunting, a book examining Virginia Woolf's time in Bloomsbury alongside four other influential women. Also known for writing a biography of Gertrude Stein.
Top 3 podcasts with Francesca Wade
Ranked by the Snipd community
10 snips
Jun 25, 2025 • 41min
The Best-Paid Woman in NYC
Francesca Wade, author of *Square Haunting*, delves into the life of Belle da Costa Greene, J.P. Morgan's personal librarian who transformed a private collection into a public treasure. They discuss Greene's fascinating identity struggles, specifically her decision to conceal her African American heritage. Wade uncovers Greene's long-distance relationship with art historian Bernard Berenson and her strategic maneuvers in a male-dominated field. The conversation reflects on Greene's significant contributions to librarianship and the complex legacy she left behind.
Mar 4, 2025 • 37min
Virginia Woolf: life of the week
Francesca Wade, author of Square Haunting, delves into the life and literature of Virginia Woolf, illuminating her revolutionary impact on women's roles in society. They discuss Woolf's vibrant time with the Bloomsbury Group, her poignant love affair with Vita Sackville-West, and her turbulent struggles with mental health. Highlighting her transformative works like 'To the Lighthouse' and 'Mrs Dalloway,' Wade reveals how Woolf's innovative narrative techniques and personal experiences shaped her legacy as a feminist icon.
Jan 12, 2026 • 1h 4min
766 Gertrude Stein (with Francesca Wade) | Ruskin on the Only One Way to Get Art | My Last Book with Holly Baggett
Francesca Wade, a biographer and literary critic known for her insightful works on modernist writers, discusses the enigmatic Gertrude Stein. They explore Stein's desire to break free from 19th-century conventions, her scientific approach to language, and the impact of her memoir, The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas. Wade reveals fresh archival materials that depict Stein's complexity beyond her public persona. Additionally, Holly Baggett shares why she would choose Ulysses as her last read, celebrating its endless layers and depth.
