Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (1823-1902) was an American author known for her contributions to 19th-century literature. She was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts and became a prominent figure in the literary scene, often exploring themes of women's roles and societal expectations in her works. Stoddard is best recognized for her novel, The Morgesons, published in 1862, which is considered one of the first American novels to focus on a woman's perspective. Her writing style was innovative for its time, blending realism with psychological depth, and she was an influential figure in the Transcendentalist movement.