Louisa May Alcott

People become famous for many different reasons. They may have invented something really important, written great poems or books, been a powerful president or composed wonderful music. Sport stars and actors become well known by being outstanding in their field.

Louisa May Alcott was one of the best and most famous authors ever known. She was born November 29, 1832 in Germantown, Pennsylvania. She had three sisters: Anna was the oldest (Louisa was second), then Beth and the youngest was Abba May.

Louisa May Alcott's family was very poor. Bronson (Louisa's father) was a teacher who had new ideas, but many people did not understand his ideas, so his school wasn't always full. Since her family didn't have any money, Louisa May Alcott decided to work. She could help her family pay their bills and debts by writing stories for magazines and newspapers.

Louisa May Alcott wrote lots of stories for magazines. Her first book was called Flower Fables and was published in 1855. She is most known for her book Little Women. In this book she made her family come to life. She did change some things: Her sister Anna became Meg, Louisa herself became Jo, Beth's name didn't change, Abba May became Amy, their mother was called Marmee, and their last name (Alcott) became March. This autobiographical novel sold 38,000 copies in 1868, the year it was released! Altogether Louisa May Alcott wrote about 270 works. They sold because her books and stories were exciting and interesting.

Louisa May Alcott didn't just write, she also was a Civil War nurse. She helped care for sick and injured Union patients.

The last book she wrote before she died was Jo's Boys. In this novel Jo March is middle aged and she and her husband create Plumfield, a school for boys. She published Jo's Boys two years before she died.

Louisa May Alcott died on March 6, 1888 in Boston at the age of fifty-six. She was a very wonderful and respected woman who left behind many great stories and books for people to love and enjoy.

Alethea Gerardot
USA