George ___, pen name of the Victorian writer Mary Ann Evans NYT crossword clue

The clue “George ___, pen name of the Victorian writer Mary Ann Evans” refers to the answer ELIOT. George Eliot was the literary pseudonym used by Mary Ann Evans, one of the most prominent novelists of the 19th century. She adopted a male pen name to ensure her works would be taken seriously in a time when female writers often faced bias and limited opportunities in the publishing world.

Eliot is best known for her profound and psychologically rich novels such as Middlemarch, Silas Marner, and The Mill on the Floss. Her decision to write under a male name allowed her to explore themes of politics, religion, and human nature without being dismissed as a “lady novelist.” This clue connects literary history with the crossword’s signature brevity, offering solvers a thoughtful cultural reference wrapped in just a few words.