Susan Coolidge

Writing as Susan Coolidge, Sarah Chauncey Woolsey was an American author and poet born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1835. She is most closely associated with What Katy Did (1872), the first of the much-loved Katy series, which helped make her a lasting name in children's literature.

Reference works describe her heroines as more mischievous and energetic than many girls in fiction of her time, a quality that gave her books much of their charm. Alongside novels for young readers, she also published poetry and other children's stories under her pen name.

Woolsey died in 1905, but her books remained popular long afterward, especially with readers who enjoy classic stories about family, growth, and resilience. Susan Coolidge's work still stands out for its friendliness, emotional honesty, and affection for everyday adventures.