Sylvia Plath (1932-1963) was an American poet, novelist, and short story writer. She is best known for her confessional poetry, which often explored themes of depression, self-destruction, and death. Plath was born in Boston, Massachusetts and studied at Smith College and Newnham College, Cambridge. She published her first poem at the age of eight and her first book, The Colossus and Other Poems, in 1960. Plath's work has been widely praised for its technical mastery and emotional intensity. Her novel The Bell Jar (1963) is considered a classic of American literature. Plath committed suicide in 1963 at the age of 30, leaving behind a legacy of powerful and influential poetry.