Edith Wharton

Edith Wharton (1862-1937) was an American novelist and short story writer, renowned for her incisive depictions of upper-class society. She published "The Age of Innocence" in 1920, which won her the Pulitzer Prize, making her the first woman to receive the honor. Wharton's 1905 novel "The House of Mirth" highlighted the struggles of women in a patriarchal society and remains a significant work in American literature. During World War I, she lived in France and contributed to the war effort, earning the French Legion of Honor for her relief work. Wharton's literary career spanned over four decades, producing a substantial body of work that includes novels, short stories, and travel writings.