Nora Rinuccini: A Female Voice between Culture, Family and Progress in 19th Century Florence

Married to Marquis Neri Corsini of Lajatico in 1834, Eleonora, known as Nora, faced challenges, primarily forced separations from her husband. The extensive correspondence with Neri, preserved in the Corsini family archive in Florence, reveals Nora's life experiences and cultural refinement within the family network.

Born into an affluent family, Nora grew up in a culturally stimulating environment, fostering a deep classical education and a spartan lifestyle. Her marriage into the Corsini family brought both enthusiasm and challenges, with frequent forced separations from her husband. Nora became a social and cultural reference in Livorno and Florence, embodying a "modern" family life.

Her anticipatory attitudes, notably on breastfeeding, showcased cultural foresight. After Neri's death in 1859, Nora became the family matriarch, engaging in rural life initiatives and supporting liberal and patriotic values. Her letters unveil a modern, emancipated woman, balancing family, societal, and political roles until her death in 1886.