The prolific Ann Stephens found considerable fame in the mid 1800s as a writer of sentimental novels, short stories, and poems, and as an editor of magazines that specialized in light literature for women readers. She is best remembered today, when she is remembered at all, as the author of the first Beadle Dime Novel.

She was born Ann Sophia Winterbotham, the third of ten children of John and Ann Wrigley Winterbotham, on 30 March 1810 in Humphreysville, Connecticut. Her father had emigrated from Manchester, England, in 1806 to become part-owner and superintendent of woolen mills founded by the Connecticut poet-patriot Col. David Humphreys. Her mother died when Ann was a child, and her upbringing fell to her stepmother, Rachael. She was educated at a dame school in Humphreysville and later in South Britain, Connecticut. She was heavily influenced by the literary interests of Colonel Humphreys, who had been an aide...