author
Florence Converse
1871–1967
An American writer whose work ranged from historical novels and mysteries to poetry and religious plays, she moved easily between genres and magazine culture in the early 20th century. Her life also included teaching, settlement work, and editorial roles that kept her close to the literary world she wrote about.
2 Audiobooks
The Story of Wellesley
by Florence Converse
Long Will
by Florence Converse
About the author
Born in New Orleans on April 30, 1871, she studied at Wellesley College, earning her bachelor's degree in 1893 and later a master's degree. Early in her career she taught English at Wellesley and was involved with Denison House, a Boston settlement house, experiences that connected her to reform-minded and literary circles.
She went on to build a varied writing career, publishing fiction, poetry, plays, and criticism. Her books included historical novels and mysteries, and she also worked in editing, serving on the staff of The Churchman before joining The Atlantic Monthly.
She died on February 13, 1967. Although she is not as widely read now as some of her contemporaries, her career stands out for its range and for the way it reflects the intellectual, social, and publishing worlds available to American women writers of her era.