The Old Maid (The 'Fifties)

Edith Wharton was a prolific American author known for her insightful depictions of the upper-class society during the Gilded Age. Her insider perspective allowed her to explore the complexities of morality and social norms in her works. Notably, she was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Literature in 1921 for The Age of Innocence. With a diverse body of work that includes novels, novellas, short stories, poetry, and criticism, Wharton's literary contributions have solidified her place in American literature, earning her recognition in the National Women's Hall of Fame.