Fanny Fern, the pen name of Sara Payson Willis (1811–1872), stands as a pioneering figure in the literary landscape of nineteenth-century America. A writer of sharp wit and strong opinions, Fern garnered fame with her boldly expressive columns and books, which often challenged societal norms. Her semi-autobiographical novel 'Ruth Hall' (1854) remains a poignant narrative that portrays the resilien...