Author: Anna Bartlett Warner

Susan Warner, born Elizabeth Wetherell on July 11, 1819, in New York City, was a renowned 19th-century American author, widely recognized for her evangelical Protestant didactic novels. Best known for her inaugural work, “The Wide, Wide World” published in 1850 under her pseudonym, Warner achieved literary acclaim as the book became one of the earliest bestsellers in American literature, illustrating the themes of piety and resilience through the eyes of its female protagonist. Her literary style often intertwined domestic narratives with Christian morality, a reflective indication of her own pious upbringing. Warner continued to write compelling stories, such as “Wych Hazel” (1876), which demonstrated her narrative flair and insight into character development set against the backdrop of religious and moral dilemmas. Living much of her life in relative seclusion on Constitution Island, she conducted Bible classes for West Point cadets, a testament to her deeply ingrained religious convictions. Alongside her sister Anna Bartlett Warner, also an accomplished author, Susan”s prolific writing career spanned over four decades, producing more than thirty novels. Warner”s influence on American religious fiction and her role as a pioneer for female authors in the 19th century solidify her position in American literary history. She passed away on March 17, 1885, leaving behind a legacy characterized by her commitment to embedding Christian ethics within the narratives of everyday life.