Mary Ellen Chase

Born in Blue Hill, Maine, in 1887, Mary Ellen Chase became an American novelist, memoirist, and educator whose work was closely tied to the landscapes and traditions of her home state. She studied at the University of Maine and later earned a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.

Chase taught English for many years at Smith College, where she built a strong reputation as a teacher as well as a writer. Alongside novels, she published memoirs, criticism, and books about New England life, often drawing on the people, speech, and coastal settings she knew best.

Her best-known books include A Goodly Heritage and Windswept. She died in 1973, but her writing still stands out for its clear prose, affection for Maine, and ability to make ordinary lives feel rich and memorable.