author
Anna De Koven
1860–1953
A novelist and historian from a prominent Chicago family, she wrote with the polish of someone equally at home in literary circles and high society. Her work was often published under the name Mrs. Reginald de Koven, linking her to a lively world of music, culture, and American letters.
1 Audiobook
The Counts of Gruyère
by Anna De Koven
About the author
Born Anna Farwell de Koven in Chicago in 1862, she was an American novelist, historian, and social figure. She was the daughter of Senator Charles B. Farwell and later married the composer Reginald de Koven, a connection that helps explain why her name often appears in print as Mrs. Reginald de Koven.
She wrote fiction, historical works, and articles, building a career that moved between literature and cultured public life. Readers may come across titles such as The Counts of Gruyère and A Cloud of Witnesses, which reflect her interest in storytelling as well as history.
Although some sources list her birth year differently, the most consistent biographical source found here identifies her as living from November 19, 1862, to January 12, 1953. Today she is remembered as a writer whose life joined family prominence, artistic circles, and a steady body of published work.