The woman we know as Murasaki Shikibu was born in Kyoto, (then known as Heian-kyō), Japan some time in the 970s. While it was customary at that time for children to be raised in their mother's households, she was raised with her younger brother in her father's household, learning Chinese alongside him, although it was considered a man's language and forbidden to women. She led an unorthodox life in many other ways, traveling with her father, writing, and not marrying until she was about thirty. She was widowed in her early thirties and was called to be a lady-in-waiting at court shortly afterward. 
Why is this woman -- whose name we don't even know for sure -- so important? Murasaki Shikibu is the author of The Tale of Genji, a fictional tale of love in the Heian court that is regarded to be the first modern, psychological novel, still considered to be a classic 1000 years later. She also wrote The Diary of Lady Muruasaki, which gives glimpses of life in the Heian era. Her works have inspired countless generations of artists and writers and are studied by scholars today.
For her love of learning, her willingness to pursue her interests even if they were not the expected societal norm, and for, as nominator CathyCake says, "the delight in words that is a quintessential Ravenclaw trait," Murasaki Shikibu is a most worthy Geek of the Week.
Learn more about Murasaki Shikibu:
http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/heroine9.html
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Murasaki_Shikibu.aspx
Thank you to CathyCake for this nomination.
Got a geek you'd like us to feature? Nominate them here.
