Annie FieldsAnnie Fields (1834-1915) was an American author and literary hostess. She was born in Boston and grew up in a literary household, with her father being a journalist and her mother a poet. Fields was educated at home and became a writer herself, publihing poetry and essays in various publications. In 1854, she married publisher James T. Fields and became a prominent figure in Boston's literary scene. The couple entertained many famous writers of the time, including Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Fields wrote several books, including "Authors and Friends," which consists of biographical sketches of her literary acquaintances. She also edited the letters of Sarah Orne Jewett and Mary Russell Mitford. In addition to her writing, Fields was active in social causes, such as prison reform and the welfare of soldiers during the Civil War.  Read More Read Less