Laura Ingalls Wilder

Born February 7, 1867, in Pepin, Wisconsin, Wilder was the second of four daughter born to Charles and Caroline Ingalls. As described in her primarily autobiographical historical fiction books, commonly called the "Little House" series, Wilder spent her childhood on the American frontier, moving from Wisconsin westward before the family settled in De Smet, South Dakota. She began writing during her childhood, beginning with themes and poetry. After marrying Almanzo Wilder in 1885, Wilder continued the practice as much as she could while raising her daughter, Rose, and helping her husband farm.

The Wilder family moved to Mansfield, Missouri, in 1894. Wilder then spent most of her time working on the new family farm and volunteering. By 1911, Wilder focused attention on writing again. She began by writing essays about farm life, which were published in the Missouri Ruralist, and later contributed to other periodicals. Rose Wilder encouraged her...