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SIGN UPEdith is an English feminine name derived from the Old English words ēad, meaning wealth or prosperity, and gȳð, meaning strife, signifying "Rich War." It is popular in English, German, Scandinavian languages, and Dutch, with a French form, Édith. The name was common before the 16th century, then regained popularity in the 19th century and has remained steadily used. Edith has been among the top hundred most popular names for newborn girls in England and Wales since 2017 and has been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the United States since 1880. The name has five name days in various countries. In addition to its historical background, Edith is associated with fictional characters in popular culture. Overall, Edith carries a rich and historically significant meaning while maintaining a strong presence in modern naming trends.
Edith Newbold Wharton, born on January 24, 1862, was an American writer and designer known for her realistic portrayal of the lives and morals of the Gilded Age's upper-class New York "aristocracy." She made history in 1921 by becoming the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her novel "The Age of Innocence." Wharton's notable works include "The House of Mirth," the novella "Ethan Frome," and several ghost stories. Born into a wealthy and socially prominent family, she rebelled against the standards of fashion and etiquette expected of young girls at the time. Despite facing criticism, Wharton began writing poetry and fiction at a young age. She temporarily put her writing aside between 1880 and 1890 to partake in the social rituals of the New York upper classes, which she keenly observed and later incorporated into her writing. Throughout her life, Wharton left a lasting legacy in the literary world and was posthumously inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1996.
Edith Stein, also known as Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, was a German philosopher, Discalced Carmelite nun, and martyr of the Catholic Church. Born into an observant German Jewish family, she became an agnostic in her teenage years. Moved by the tragedies of World War I, she worked as a nursing assistant and pursued her doctoral degree in philosophy under Edmund Husserl. After completing her studies, she became Husserl's assistant and made significant contributions to phenomenology. Stein's journey led her to embrace the Christian faith and she was baptized into the Catholic Church in 1922. Despite facing anti-Semitic policies, she pursued her calling and became a Discalced Carmelite nun, taking the religious name Teresia Benedicta a Cruce. Tragically, she and her sister were arrested by the Gestapo and sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp, where they were both murdered in the gas chambers on 9 August 1942. Edith Stein is canonized as a saint and is revered as one of the six patron saints of Europe. Her life and legacy continue to inspire people around the world, and her childhood home in Breslau now hosts a museum dedicated to the history of the Stein family.
Edith Claire Head, born Edith Claire Posener, was an influential American film costume designer known for winning a record eight Academy Awards for Best Costume Design between 1949 and 1973. Her remarkable talent and close working relationships with top female stars in Hollywood, such as Dorothy Lamour and Ginger Rogers, solidified her status as one of the greatest costume designers in film history. Born and raised in California, Head initially pursued a career as a language teacher before following her passion for design. After studying at the Chouinard Art Institute, she began her career as a costume sketch artist at Paramount Pictures in 1923. Head's notable designs, including Dorothy Lamour’s iconic sarong and Ginger Rogers' mink-lined gown, garnered widespread acclaim. Despite facing initial overshadowing by other lead designers, Head's dedication and exceptional work eventually propelled her to the forefront of the industry. Her prolific career spanned over four decades, during which she received a total of 35 Academy Award nominations. Head's legacy continues to inspire and influence costume design in the world of film.
Edith Frank (née Holländer) was the mother of Anne Frank, the renowned Holocaust diarist, and her sister Margot. Born into a German Jewish family in Aachen, Germany, Edith married Otto Frank and had two daughters, Margot and Anne. The family emigrated to Amsterdam in 1933 to escape the rise of antisemitism and discriminatory laws in Germany. However, Nazi Germany's invasion of the Netherlands in 1940 led to the persecution of Jews, forcing the Frank family into hiding. Tragically, they were discovered and transported to Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, where Edith succumbed to weakness and disease in 1945. Edith's open-mindedness and struggles with emigration are well-documented, and her legacy lives on through her daughters' accounts of their experiences. Despite the hardships she faced, Edith's courage and strong maternal instincts continue to inspire people around the world.
Edith Eleanor Bowman, born in 1974, is a prominent Scottish radio DJ and television presenter. Her media career spans television, radio, and podcasting, with notable roles including hosting BBC Radio 1's Colin and Edith, along with various music-related television shows and festivals. Bowman's contributions to the entertainment industry extend beyond her on-screen presence, as she has also hosted the annual Scottish Music Awards ceremony since 2020. Her early life in Anstruther, Fife, Scotland, laid the foundation for her successful career, which saw her emerge as a newsreader on MTV UK before moving on to host shows for the channel. Bowman's versatility is evident in her diverse roles, from co-presenting the chart show Hitlist UK to narrating documentaries and appearing as a contestant on Celebrity MasterChef. Her extensive radio career includes hosting shows on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 6 Music, as well as presenting the podcast Soundtracking, where she engages in insightful interviews with film-makers about music in films. Bowman's significant career milestones include presenting coverage of Live 8 and hosting the Q Awards. With her multifaceted talents and enduring contributions to the media landscape, Edith Bowman continues to be a respected figure in the entertainment industry.
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