author
Olive Thorne Miller
1831–1918
Best known by the pen name Olive Thorne Miller, she brought birds and everyday nature to life for readers of all ages with warmth, curiosity, and close observation. Her writing helped make natural history feel lively, personal, and welcoming.
6 Audiobooks
Little Brothers of the Air
by Olive Thorne Miller
A Bird-Lover in the West
by Olive Thorne Miller
Kristy's Rainy Day Picnic
by Olive Thorne Miller
In Nesting Time
by Olive Thorne Miller
The Children's Book of Birds
by Olive Thorne Miller
Upon The Tree-Tops
by Olive Thorne Miller
About the author
Born Harriet Mann in Auburn, New York, in 1831, she wrote under the names Olive Thorne, Olive Thorne Miller, and Harriet M. Miller. She became known as an American author, naturalist, and ornithologist, and was among the first three women raised to elective membership in the American Ornithologists' Union.
After marrying Watts Todd Miller and raising four children, she built a writing career that ranged from fiction and children's books to nature writing. Her bird books and sketches were especially admired for their clear, engaging style and for the careful attention she gave to living animals rather than treating nature as something distant or decorative.
She died in Los Angeles in 1918, but her work still stands out for its mix of affection, observation, and respect for the natural world. For listeners who enjoy classic nature writing, her books offer both charm and a vivid sense of nineteenth-century life.