Edith Wharton (1862-1937) was an American novelist, short story writer, and designer. She was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1921 for her novel The Age of Innocence. Wharton wrote over 40 books, including The House of Mirth, Ethan Frome, and Summer. She was a keen observer of the social conventions of her time, and her works often explored the themes of morality, social class, and gender roles. Wharton was also a talented interior designer, and her designs were featured in many of her novels. She was a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Her works remain popular today, and she is remembered as one of the most influential American writers of the 20th century.