
Olive Schreiner
Awards & Honours
0
Awards Won
3
Honours
2
Rankings
2
Records
Olive Schreiner's achievements are foundational to South African literature and global feminist thought. She is recognized as the author of the first great South African novel, The Story of an African Farm, which broke barriers for female authors in the British Empire. Her work as a feminist and anti-war campaigner earned her a unique place in history as a visionary thinker who challenged the norms of her time. The establishment of the Olive Schreiner Prize and the preservation of her papers at the University of Cape Town stand as testaments to her enduring impact on literature and social justice. Six biographies have been published about her life, cementing her status as a pioneering figure in South African letters.

Honours & Distinctions
Olive Schreiner Prize
Annual award established in her honor to recognize excellence in literature and social justice.
Literary Hall of Fame Induction
Inducted for her foundational contributions to South African literature.
University of Cape Town Archive
Establishment of the Olive Schreiner Literary Archive to preserve her papers.
Rankings & Lists
Top 100 Greatest Novels of All Time (African Literature)
Essential Feminist Texts
Records & Feats
First Great South African Novel
Published The Story of an African Farm, widely considered the first great South African novel.
Early Female Medical Student Attempt
One of the first women to attempt medical studies in the UK in 1876 before returning due to financial constraints.