Temple Bailey

Temple Bailey (1869–1953) was an American writer of popular fiction, born in Petersburg, Virginia. From the early twentieth century onward she contributed regularly to national magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post and Cosmopolitan. Her works were mostly light-hearted romance stories with happy endings, and several of her novels made the annual bestseller lists. Her books sold about three million copies, and she was among the highest-paid authors of her day. Eight of her works are held here, including The Trumpeter Swan, Mistress Anne, The Gay Cockade, Glory of Youth, The Tin Soldier, Judy, and Contrary Mary. Writing in a brisk, cheerful style about love and everyday life, she appealed to the popular readership of her time and earned a place in early twentieth-century American popular literature. She died in Washington in 1953.