Louisa May Alcott, the author of “Little Women”, is born in Philadelphia on this date in history (Nov. 29, 1832).

Louisa May Alcott, the author who presented liberated, thoughtful, and independent women in a time when social norms were not supportive of her message, was born on the Germantown Section of PhiladelphiaThis day in history was Nov. 29, 1832.  

Her The most famous book“Little Women”, published in 1868, is one of America’s most beloved and beloved stories. 

The story has been retold many times on stage and screen, with seven Hollywood adaptations. 

GRAND OLE OPRY DEBUTS WSM RADIO NASHVILLE, ON THIS DAY OF HISTORY, NOV. 28, 1995

Starring were the 1933 film version “Little Women”, Katherine Hepburn. The 1994 edition featured Winona Ryder and Kirsten Dunst as well as Claire Danes, Susan Sarandon and Christian Bale. 

The Most recent filmadaptation, in 2019, featured Meryl Streep and Emma Watson. 

Circa 1860: American author Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888) 
(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images).

Alcott “created colorful relatable characters … [and]”Instructed readers to educated strong women heroines,” states the National Women’s History Museum. 

“Her writing style had a profound impact on American literature.”

“Little Women” was retold several times, including seven Hollywood adaptations.

Alcott’s father, Amos Bronson Alcott, was a teacher, writer and transcendentalist philosopher, while her mother Abigail (May) was born in Boston to the prominent Quincy and Sewall families — and became one of the leading suffragists and activists of her time. 

ADOPTED AS CHILD, TEXAS WOMAN NOW HELPING OTHERS FIND HOPE & FEEL LOVED DURING CHRISTMAS

The family Moved to Concord (Massachusetts) in 1840, where Alcott was taught by or befriended the area’s literary elite. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne are two of them. Julia Ward HoweHenry David Thoreau.

Alcott’s family struggled financially, including a failed effort by her father to build a utopian community.

Florence Pugh (left to right), Saoirse Ronan, and Timothee Chamet pose during the evening photo call “Little Women”, at The Soho Hotel London, Dec. 16, 2019, London, England. 
(David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage)

Yet Louisa May began pursuing her literary dreams in 1860, writing for The Atlantic Monthly — now The Atlantic.

The Union cause enlisted her and she served as a nurse. Washington, D.C.,Beginning in December 1862.  

HOLIDAY STRESS IS HERE: HOW TO HAVE A CALMER, MORE PEACEFUL NEXT FEW MONTHS

According to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, her experiences were shocking for a woman who was not married.”, writing letters to the injured and sick, and feeding those who are too weak to eat.

Alcott wrote of her experience, “Though often homesick, heartsick & worn out, I like it — find real pleasure in comforting, tending & cheering these poor souls who seem to love me,” according to the museum.

Title page: Louisa M. Alcott’s “Little Women”. Illustrations by M V Wheelhouse (1895-1933), November 29, 18,32-March 6 1888. Photo by Culture Club/Getty Images.
(Getty Images)

After only six weeks of nursing, her work was cut short when she contracted Typhoid. She almost died. 

Alcott wrote again in Massachusetts, and gained international fame when “Little Women” was released. The autobiographical novel was a huge success. 

“‘Little Women’ describes the domestic adventures of a New England family of modest means but optimistic outlook.” 

“Based on her recollections of her own childhood, ‘Little Women’ describes the domestic adventures of a New England family of modest means but optimistic outlook,” writes Britannica of the globally influential American tale. 

CURSIVE WRITING IN AMERICAN SCHOOLS: HERE’S WHERE THIS ‘DYING ART’ IS STILL TAUGHT AND WHY IT MATTERS

Successful sequels to “Little Men”, 1871, and “Jo’s Boys”, 1886 were also made.

“Educate yourself to the max. You can be something within yourself. Let the world know that you are alive. Be bold. Don’t wait to see what happens. Be a sponge for new and more expansive ideas. Continue to the great works God gives humanity,” Alcott’s lessons to women was described by the Christian Science Monitor.

Circa 1870: Writer Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888), born in Philadelphia. Her books include “Little Women,” (1868), which was based on her own personal experiences.  
(Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

After her return from serving as a Civil War nurse, Alcott experienced debilitating medical issues. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

Modern researchers and biographers suspect that she may have been poisoned by mercury in the hospital.

“Her illnesses evoked intense interest in her time and in ours,” The National Library of Medicine reported in a 2007 study.  

“Readers continue to enjoy Alcott’s writings and her novels still appear on bestseller lists throughout the world.”

Alcott kept track of her symptoms in letters and journal entries. She noted headaches, vertigo and rheumatism. In her last years, she also recorded severe dyspepsia and symptoms of obstruction.

The same source added, “We propose … that Alcott suffered a multi-system disease, possibly originating from effects of mercury on the immune system.”

CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP

Louisa May Alcott was suddenly killed in Boston on March 5, 1888. Stroke. She was just 55 years of age.

“Today, readers continue to enjoy Alcott’s writings and her novels still appear on bestseller lists throughout the world,” notes the National Women’s History Museum.