Virginia Woolf: Virginia Woolf BIOGRAPHY Family: Family Sir Leslie Stephen Julia Stephen Both of Virginia’s parents had been previously married and were widowed Author Model They both had children from previous marriages and eventually ended up with 8 children altogether. Virginia Woolf Essayist, novelist, and famous for feminist writings Life: Life Virginia Woolf’s mother died in 1895 Two years later, Virginia’s half sister died Was sexually abused by half-brother Father died in 1904 Others noticed Virginia going mad Virginia began hearing birds singing in Greek Σ 'αγαπώ Life : Life Tried to commit suicide by jumping out of a window Her major periods of mental illness worsened with the starting and completing of her novels Began her literary career in 1910 Married Leonard Woolf in 1912 Released her first novel in 1915 Rumored to have a long, passionate, affair with a woman, Vita Sackville ? Suicide Note: Suicide Note Dearest, I feel certain that I am going mad again. I feel we can't go through another of those terrible times. And I shan't recover this time. I begin to hear voices, and I can't concentrate. So I am doing what seems the best thing to do. You have given me the greatest possible happiness. You have been in every way all that anyone could be. I don't think two people could have been happier till this terrible disease came. I can't fight any longer. I know that I am spoiling your life, that without me you could work. And you will I know. You see I can't even write this properly. I can't read. What I want to say is I owe all the happiness of my life to you. You have been entirely patient with me and incredibly good. I want to say that—everybody knows it. If anybody could have saved me it would have been you. Everything has gone from me but the certainty of your goodness. I can't go on spoiling your life any longer. I don't think two people could have been happier than we have been. Death: Death On March 28 th 1941, Virginia Woolf filled the pockets of her overcoat with stones. She then walked into a nearby river and drowned herself. Her body was not found until nearly a month later. What do you think played the biggest role in her mental illness and eventual suicide?