Ella Wheeler Wilcox (November 5, 1850 – October 30, 1919) was an American author and poet. Her best-known work was Poems of Passion. She was a popular and often controversial author, whose readership spanned the globe. Wilcox was born in Johnstown, Wisconsin, and grew up in nearby Portage. She was the youngest of four children. Her father, a newspaper editor, encouraged her to write poetry from an early age. She was educated at home and in local schools. Wilcox's first published poem appeared in the New York Sun in 1872. She soon became a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines, and her work was widely read. In 1883, she published her first book of poetry, Poems of Passion. The book was a success, and Wilcox became a celebrity. Wilcox wrote more than 20 books of poetry, as well as novels, essays, and plays. She was a popular lecturer, and her work was translated into several languages. She was a strong advocate for women's rights and social reform. Wilcox died in 1919, at the age of 68. Her work continues to be read and studied today.
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