Jessica Mitford was a British author and political activist, born on September 11, 1917, in Gloucestershire, England. She was part of the Mitford family, a prominent aristocratic family known for their diverse political views. Mitford is best known for her book, The American Way of Death, which critiques the funeral industry in the United States. Throughout her life, Mitford was an outspoken advocate for social justice and civil rights. She moved to the United States in the 1930s and became involved in various political movements, including communism and civil rights. Her writings often reflected her commitment to exposing societal injustices.