Victoria CrossAnnie Sophie Cory (1 October 1868 - 2 August 1952), known by her pen name Victoria Cross (also spelled Victoria Crosse), was a British novelist renowned for her provocative and progressive fiction during the late Victorian and Edwardian eras. Born inRawalpindi, Punjab (then part of British India), she was the youngest daughter of Colonel Arthur Cory, an army officer and newspaper editor, and Fanny Elizabeth Griffin. Her sisters, Adela Florence Nicolson and Isabel Cory, were also writers, with Adela gaining fame as the poet ""Laurence Hope"" .​ Cory's literary career began with the publication of ""Theodora: A Fragment"" in The Yellow Book in 1895. She went on to write over twenty novels, including The Woman Who Didn't (1895), Anna Lombard (1901), and Five Nights (1908). Her works often challenged contemporary norms by exploring themes such as female sexuality, interracial relationships, and gender roles, aligning her with the ""New Woman"" movement of the time .​ Despite facing criticism for the perceived immorality of her writings, Cory remained unapologetic, asserting her pride in her work. She lived an unconventional life, never marrying and traveling extensively, often accompanied by her wealthy uncle, Heneage McKenzie Griffin. After inheriting his fortune, she settled in Monte Carlo and later died in Milan, Italy, in 1952. Cory's bold exploration of taboo subjects and her defiance of societal expectations have cemented her legacy as a significant figure in feminist and decadent literature.​ Read More Read Less