Estelle Ryan

Estelle Ryan (1882-1944) was an American author and journalist known for her humorous and sometimes satirical short stories and novels. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ryan began her writing career as a reporter for the Philadelphia North American. She went on to write numerous short stories for popular magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post and Harper's Monthly. Ryan's stories often featured quirky characters and witty dialogue, exploring themes of family life, marriage, and social customs. Ryan's most famous novel, "The Locust Years" (1937), was a semi-autobiographical account of her childhood in the late 19th century. The novel received critical acclaim and was adapted into a Broadway play. Ryan was also renowned for her non-fiction work, particularly her humorous travelogue "I Go East" (1941), which recounted her experiences in the Far East. She won several awards for her writing, including the O. Henry Award for her short story "The Child of God" in 1921.