Martha Finley (1828-1909), the daughter of a Presbyterian minister, was a school teacher and author of numerous articles, essays, and books, the most well-known being the 28 volumes of her Elsie Dinsmore series. Turning to writing stories for young people as a means of supporting herself after a serious injury, Finley sold more books than any other children's author of her day, with the exception of Louisa May Alcott.