author
Hildegarde Hawthorne
1871–1952
Best known for ghostly tales, lively biographies, and books for younger readers, this versatile American writer came from a famous literary family but built a long career of her own. Her work ranges from supernatural fiction to accessible portraits of major literary figures.
1 Audiobook
Girls in Bookland
by Hildegarde Hawthorne
About the author
Hildegarde Hawthorne (September 25, 1871 – December 10, 1952) was an American writer, poet, biographer, and storyteller whose work moved easily between supernatural fiction, literary biography, and children's books. She was the daughter of Julian Hawthorne and the granddaughter of Nathaniel Hawthorne, a family connection that shaped public interest in her life but did not limit the range of what she wrote.
She began publishing while still young and went on to produce a large body of work across several genres. She is especially remembered for ghost stories and other uncanny fiction, but she also wrote biographies of major literary figures, including a life of Nathaniel Hawthorne, along with books aimed at younger readers.
Her writing has lasted in part because it blends warmth and readability with a clear taste for atmosphere. For listeners coming to her today, she offers both a link to an important American literary family and a distinct voice of her own—curious, imaginative, and often drawn to the shadowy edge of everyday life.