How a 19-year-old Victorian diarist shocked America with a memoir about wanting to seduce Napoleon and Satan, openly lusting after her female teacher, and relentlessly bragging about her genius. Mary MacLane’s 1902 scandal is trending again as the original thirst trap. Search 'how a 19-year-old Victorian memoirist shocked America' for the wild details.

Mary MacLane's audacious 1902 memoir, "The Story of Mary MacLane," not only scandalized America with its candid confessions but also ignited a cultural frenzy. The book's explosive popularity led to the formation of "Mary MacLane Societies" nationwide, where young women gathered to discuss her radical ideas. Vaudeville acts parodied her work, and even a cocktail—the "Mary MacLane Highball"—was named in her honor. This whirlwind of fame allowed MacLane to escape Butte, Montana, and immerse herself in the bohemian circles of New York City, cementing her legacy as a trailblazing feminist icon.