Louisa M. Alcott was an American author best known for her novel Little Women, published in 1868. Born on November 29, 1832, in Germantown, Pennsylvania, she grew up in a family that valued education and literature. Alcott's writing often drew from her own experiences, particularly her childhood and the lives of women in the 19th century. In addition to Little Women, Alcott wrote several other works, including Little Men and Jo's Boys. She was also a feminist and an advocate for women's rights, which influenced her storytelling. Alcott passed away on March 6, 1888, leaving a lasting legacy in American literature.