Louisa May Alcott headshot

Louisa May Alcott was born on November 29, 1832, in Germantown, Pennsylvania, and became one of America's most beloved authors, best known for her novel *Little Women*. The daughter of transcendentalist educator Bronson Alcott, Louisa grew up in an environment that emphasized intellectual and artistic pursuits, although her family struggled financially.

Alcott began writing at a young age to help support her family, publishing short stories and poems before gaining recognition. Her breakthrough came with *Little Women* (1868), a semi-autobiographical novel about the lives of the March sisters. The book, which captured themes of family, personal growth, and the challenges of womanhood, became an instant success and remains a classic of American literature.

Alcott was not only a writer but also a social activist, advocating for women's rights and abolition. During the Civil War, she worked as a nurse in a Union hospital, an experience that influenced some of her later works, such as *Hospital Sketches* (1863).

Though *Little Women* brought her lasting fame, Alcott wrote over 30 novels, many under the pseudonym A.M. Barnard, as well as numerous short stories, essays, and poems. She passed away on March 6, 1888, but her legacy endures through her contributions to literature, especially her inspiring portrayal of strong, independent women.