Maud Wilder Goodwin

Born in Ballston Spa, New York, on June 5, 1856, Maud Wilder Goodwin became known as an American writer of historical fiction, biography, and popular history. Reference sources describe a literary career that began relatively late and lasted for roughly three decades, during which she published both novels and nonfiction centered on American history.

She wrote across several forms, including historical novels such as Sir Christopher and Colonial Cavalier, as well as works of history and biography including Dolly Madison and Dutch and English on the Hudson. She also helped edit Historic New York, a collection that reflects her strong interest in bringing the past to a broad readership.

Goodwin died on February 5, 1935. Remembered today mainly by readers of historical literature and library collections, she stands out for making early American people and places feel vivid, approachable, and full of human drama.