Rachel Field was born in New York City, September 19, 1894, and spent most of her early childhood in western Massachusetts. In 1914 she was admitted to Radcliffe College, where she spent four years studying writing as a special student.

After college, Field held several editorial positions but soon turned to freelance writing. She wrote novels for children, young adults, and adults. Several of her adult novels were made into successful films. She also wrote poetry, mostly for children, and plays for both children and adults. In 1918 she won the Drama League of America prize for Rise Up, Jennie Smith and in 1929 the Newbery Medal for Hitty: Her First Hundred Years.

Field married Arthur S. Pederson, a literary agent, in 1935, and the couple moved to California. They adopted a daughter, Hannah, in 1939. Field died after a brief illness in California in 1942. She was buried in Stockbridge, Massachusetts...