Willa Sibert Cather
- Born:
- December 7, 1873, Gore, Virginia, USA
- Died:
- April 24, 1947, New York City, New York, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Novelist, Short Story Writer, Essayist, Poet
Early Life and Education
- Moved with her family to Nebraska at the age of nine.
- Developed a keen interest in the lives of immigrant settlers on the Great Plains.
- Graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1895.
- While at the University of Nebraska, she wrote for the Nebraska State Journal and the Lincoln Courier.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked as a teacher and journalist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- Joined McClure's Magazine in New York City as a copy editor and later became managing editor.
- Dedicated herself to writing fiction full-time after 1912.
- Won the Pulitzer Prize for One of Ours (1923).
Notable Works
- O Pioneers! (1913)
- The Song of the Lark (1915)
- My Ántonia (1918)
- One of Ours (1922)
- Death Comes for the Archbishop (1927)
- Shadows on the Rock (1931)
Legacy and Impact
Willa Cather, as this brief biography highlights, is remembered for her evocative portrayals of life on the American frontier, her exploration of the immigrant experience, and her masterful use of language and imagery. Her novels and short stories continue to be widely read and studied, securing her place as a major figure in American literature.