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Louisa May Alcott (1832 - 1888) Her novel, Little Women, published in 1868, still inspires popular movies. She was one of the first authors for young readers to be taken seriously by critics and to write stories that entertained rather than simply preached. Her novels that were in the "Little Women" series were hugely popular in the 1800s as well as today.

Her Life: Childhood Louisa was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, on November 29, 1832. She was the second of four daughters (a son died at birth) of Amos Bronson Alcott and Abigail May. Amos Bronson was a noted transcendentalist philosopher and the son of an English family that was among the first settlers of New England. The Alcott's were successful--hard-working and industrious--but Louisa's father managed to escape the world of manual labor for a life of the mind. Bronson Alcott began as a teacher, but his focus on spiritual development was doomed to failure. The Alcott household consisted of older sister Anna, then Louisa, and two younger sisters, Elizabeth and May. Hard work mixed with heady thinking was a staple in the Alcott household. Louisa and her mother were very close, and it was from her that Louisa won encouragement to write. Indeed, each of the children fostered a special artistic skill--painting, sculpting, drama, music. Together, the children would put on plays and musical productions. The family moved from one school to another as the father tried to eke out a living under hostile conditions. "I was very unhappy," young Louisa in her journal, "and prayed to God to keep us all together." Louisa May saw it all with the open eyes of youth. She recognized the inspiration of her father's idealism, but also experienced the financial effects such idealism had on the family. It was then she resolved that she would help to keep the family together by becoming the breadwinner. She was twelve. Though money was in short supply, ideas were decidedly not. The Alcott children had an education to be envied. Ralph Waldo Emerson, became Louisa's hero, as he was a close friend and neighbor. Louisa, as tutor to Emerson's daughter, had free access to his excellent library, reading literary classics as well as philosophy. Thoreau was her botany teacher, and there was a constant stream of influential thinkers in the household. Another writer, Nathaniel Hawthorne, was a reclusive neighbor, though the Alcott children played with the Hawthorne children. The girls were taught the virtue of hard work and of play, as well. They girl kept a journal, which the parents regularly read. It was a close-knit, self-reliant household. High ideals were always foremost, and the support of reform causes such as abolition, coeducation, vegetarianism, and women's suffrage were expected. From Concord the family moved back to Boston, and even tighter financial times with the mother doing social work and the children tutoring and taking in sewing. By 1850, Louisa was teaching and beginning to write for publication. Her early stories were sometimes gothic thrillers. She soon discovered that she could turn out such stories quickly and earn a reasonable return for her efforts, some of the later ones earning $40 each.

Her Life: Writing: She published her first book in 1855, (she was 23) a collection of fairy tales she had written for young Ellen Emerson whom she had tutored. Flower Fables was noticed because it was sponsored by Mrs. Nathaniel Hawthorne. It earned Louisa $32 and her editor advised her stick to teaching instead of writing. Publication of the book, however, encouraged Louisa, with her thrillers and with two novels for adults. She became frustrated by the unfavorable reception of her adult novel entitled Moods which was published in 1865, Louisa travelled to Europe as the companion of an invalid friend. When she returned in July of 1866, she began work on more magazine stories, "for things were, as I expected, behindhand when the money-maker was away," she wrote in her journal. In 1867, she became editor of a children's monthly magazine, the same year that she was approached with the prospect of writing a girls' book. Although she was hesitant, Alcott began working in May of the following year on what would become Little Women, drawing upon the real-life characters and experiences of her parents and three sisters, Anna, Elizabeth, and May. Louisa's journal records her embarking on the project: "Marmee [Alcott's mother], Anna, and May all approve my plan. So I plod away, though I don't enjoy this sort of thing. Never liked girls or knew many, other than my sisters; but our queer plays and experiences might be interesting, though I doubt it." Written in six weeks in 1868, Little Women, however, proved Louisa to be tremendously wrong. The book was an instant sensation as readers relished the autobiographical characters of Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth, and their parents Mr. and Mrs. March. A second volume was quickly planned and written in two months, and in 1869 was published as Little Women or, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, Part Second. Little Women follows the four March sisters as they strive to improve upon their characters and become "good girls." The novel made giant strides in providing realistic fiction for children. Critics consider Little Women a masterpiece, and she followed its success with numerous stories and novels that continued to be very popular among her fans. Seven of these novels are often grouped with Little Women under the "Little Women" series: An Old-Fashioned Girl, Little Men, Eight Cousins, Rose in Bloom, Under the Lilacs, Jack and Jill, and Jo's Boys and How they Turned Out. These later novels follow the lives of the March sisters and their families as they grow older, in addition to the relatives and residents of the New England towns where they lived. Her success as a writer brought her much fame and financial security in her lifetime, and she continued to provide for her family. Louisa herself was never married, once remarking that writing seemed to be her intended companion for life. Louisa May Alcott died on March 6, 1888, two days after her father's death.

Her Writings: Want to read her books right now? Go to The Literature Network

1868 Little Women Louisa May Alcott wrote many books, but "Little Women" retains a special place in the heart of American literature. Her warmly realistic stories, sense of comedy and tragedy, and insights into human nature make the romance, humor and sweet stories of "Little Women" come alive. The four March girls -- practical Meg, rambunctious Jo, sweet Beth and childish artist Amy -- live in genteel poverty with their mother Marmee; their father is away in the Civil War. Despite having little money, the girls keep their spirits up with writing, gardening, homemade plays, and the occasional romp with wealthier pals. Their pal, "poor little rich boy" Laurie, joins in and becomes their adoptive brother, as the girls deal with Meg's first romance, Beth's life-threatening illness, and fears for their father's safety.

1870 An Old Fashioned Girl Alcott, beloved author of Little Women and other magnificent children's classics, brings to life the tale of Polly Milton, a young girl who leaves her simple country life to stay at the home of her wealthy city cousins. But can plain Polly enjoy sophisticated city life without changing? This unforgettable story about being true to yourself continues to inspire.

1871 Little Men Little Men continues Louisa May Alcott's story of the March family. It picks up from Little Women to follow tomboy Jo into her married life. Jo and her husband, Prof. Bhaer, have opened a school for boys. Jo takes charge, but she retains a "merry sort of face," and the boys call her jolly. The school takes in troubled cases including homeless "little chap," Nat, and rowdy run-away Dan. Alcott's boys climb trees and sneak off to light their first (choke!) cigars, but each lad has the makings of a good man -- qualities that Jo intends to bring out. The language might sound as quaint as "thunder turtles!" and "hoydens" (grrrls), but the drama is the same now as always. Jo's concern for her boys is every teacher's -- every right parent's -- hope for every child. The story concludes with Jo's Boys: And How They Turned Out.

1875 Eight Cousins At the age of 13, Rose finds herself orphaned and living with two elderly aunts on "Aunt Hill" where she is treated as delicately as the flower for which she is named. But Rose soon finds her quiet world turned upside down with the arrival of her seven boisterous boy cousins followed by her Uncle Alec, a doctor and a world traveler. Upon meeting Rose, Uncle Alec quickly prescribes fresh air and much activity to help with the girl's poor constitution. Uncle Alec's diagnosis turns out to be an accurate one and Rose, with the help of her cousins, finds herself in the middle of much hijinx and merriment.

1876 Rose in Bloom In this sequel to Eight Cousins we find the title character Rose returning from a two year trip traveling the world. Rose, a wealthy woman, finds herself the object of many suitors, but how can she tell who loves her for her and who loves her for her money? A delightful coming of age story, Rose in Bloom will delight readers both young and old.

1878 Under the Lilacs Relates the adventures of Ben Brown, his performing poodle Sancho, and the two young girls who feed and care for them after the boy and dog run away from the circus. Cheerful, resourceful Ben Brown, a 12 year old circus performer and his friendly, clever dog, Sancho, have run away from an abusive environment in search of his father who had mysteriously disappeared months before. The two travelers are befriended by two lively sisters, Bab and Betty Moss, as well as their mother and two wealthy neighbors. Throughout the rest of the novel we follow Ben's adjustments to work, school and life outside the circus. The book should appeal to Louisa May Alcott fans and readers who enjoy nostalgic, old-fashioned stories.

1880 Jack and Jill Did any of us ever wonder what happened after "Jack fell down and broke his crown and Jill came tumbling after!" Well, Louisa May Alcott has given us a wonderful portrayal of the famous historical characters Jack and Jill. The novel, though it starts with the tragedy mentioned above, the strength of spirit and the life lessons learned by the dear characters enable the story to end happily leaving us to ponder about our own lives and reflect on the difficulties and the trials that we face.

1886 Jo's Boys and How they Turned Out In the culmination of the Little Women stories, Jo's Boys depicts the girls and boys of Plumfield as young men and women who are facing problems and seeking happiness in life. The original twelve boys are scattered, but all come wandering back from the four corners of the earth to tell their stories and reminisce over the pleasures of the past.

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