# Ouida

## Biography

Maria Louise Ramé, known by her pen name Ouida, was an English novelist born in 1839 in Bury St. Edmunds. Her pseudonym derived from her own childhood pronunciation of "Louisa." Ouida gained significant popularity for her extravagant and melodramatic romances that often depicted fashionable life. Her stirring narrative style and unique approach captivated the public, making her an exceptionally popular author.

Among her prolific output of more than 40 novels, short stories, and children's books were notable works such as *Held in Bondage*, *Under Two Flags*, and *A Dog of Flanders*, the latter becoming a beloved children's classic. Ouida eventually moved to Italy, settling in Florence in 1874, where she continued her writing. She was known for her lavish lifestyle and deep affection for animals, becoming an ardent animal rights activist. Despite her early successes and luxurious living, extravagance and loss of copyrights led to her impoverishment in later life. She passed away in Viareggio, Italy, in 1908.

## Books

- [Othmar](https://samolit.com/books/96797)