Willa Cather

Willa Cather was an author known for writing about the American Midwest, a region that she had a strong fondness for. She was born in 1873 in Virginia, though her family would move to Nebraska at the age of nine. Cather would go on to become one of the most significant writers associated with the Midwest, thanks in large part to her vivid depictions of the people and landscapes within the region.

Cather was a shy and introverted child who found solace in books. She was encouraged by her parents to pursue her love of literature and academics, a choice that would have a lasting influence on her writing. Throughout her life, Cather was an avid reader and was said to have had an eidetic memory, allowing her to recall entire sections of books even after reading them just once.

Cather attended college at the University of Nebraska in 1891, majoring in Latin and Greek. Her love of classics wound its way into her writing and offered her a unique perspective on Midwestern life. Even after leaving Nebraska, Cather held on to her beloved Midwest and it became an integral part of her work.

Cather wrote numerous short stories and novels, but the ones that are most closely associated with her are her linked collection of novels The Prairie Trilogy. The books, O Pioneers!, The Song of the Lark, and My Ántonia each focus on the struggles and dreams of individuals during the late 19th century. Cather explored a variety of themes such as community, struggling immigrants and unresolved love in these works.

Cather did not become well known for her writings until the 1920s when she wrote two of her most celebrated works, A Lost Lady and My Mortal Enemy. Cather was an ever-evolving writer and her work went on to capture the beauty and starkness of the Midwest. Many of her characters find both hope and despair in the environment around them and it offers a unique glimpse into the history and culture of the area.

Willa Cather was awarded both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award in 1922 and 1973, respectively, further proving her legacy as one of the finest authors of the 20th century. Her writings remain poignant and relevant today, marking her as one of the greatest American novelists of all time. Cather also blazed a special path for other female authors in a time when women were largely overlooked for their contributions to literature.

At the time of her death in 1947, Cather had penned a dozen novels along with many short stories and poems. Her work lives on in today’s literary canon and provides readers with a unique glimpse into the beauty and struggles of the Midwest. Willa Cather’s legacy will continue to be remembered for years to come.