What was the pen name of novelist, Mary Ann Evans?

The pen name of novelist Mary Ann Evans was George Eliot. She chose this pseudonym for several reasons. Firstly, she wanted to be taken seriously as a writer in the male-dominated Victorian era, and believed that using a male name would help her gain credibility and respect from readers and critics. Additionally, she wanted to separate her works of fiction from her personal life, as she was concerned about potential judgments and prejudices that could hinder her literary career. Thus, George Eliot became her chosen identity, allowing her to write and publish her renowned novels, including "Middlemarch," "The Mill on the Floss," and "Silas Marner."