Marilyn French was an American author and feminist known for her influential works that explored women's rights and gender issues. Born on November 21, 1929, she gained prominence with her novel, The Women's Room, published in 1977, which became a significant part of the feminist literary canon. French's writing often highlighted the struggles and experiences of women in a patriarchal society. In addition to her fiction, French wrote several non-fiction books, including Beyond Power: On Women, Men, and Morals, which examined the dynamics of power between genders. Throughout her career, she advocated for women's equality and contributed to discussions on feminism, making her a notable figure in American literature and social thought.