Agnes Repplier

Born in Philadelphia in 1855, Agnes Repplier built a literary career that lasted for decades, even though her early school years were famously difficult. She was educated at Catholic schools in and around Philadelphia, and her independent streak became part of her legend as much as her learning.

Repplier was best known as an essayist. She wrote for major magazines, including The Atlantic Monthly, and became admired for graceful, conversational essays filled with literary references, historical reflection, and a lively sense of irony. She also wrote biographies and books of criticism, but readers especially valued the intelligence and personality of her shorter prose.

She remained closely associated with Philadelphia throughout her life and died there in 1950. Today she is remembered as one of the leading American essayists of her era, a writer whose work joined elegance, curiosity, and common sense.