Betty Smith (born Elisabeth Lillian Wehner; December 15, 1896 – January 17, 1972) was an acclaimed American playwright and novelist. She gained international fame with her 1943 best-selling novel, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Born in Brooklyn, New York, to German immigrant parents, Smith's early life in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, inspired the settings and characters of her first novel.

Betty married George H. E. Smith and later moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where George pursued a law degree. During this period, Betty gave birth to two daughters and eventually completed her higher education.

In her lifetime, Betty Smith penned four bestselling novels in the 20th century: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1943), Tomorrow Will Be Better (1947), Maggie-Now (1958), and Joy in the Morning (1963). Both A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Joy in the Morning were adapted into films.

Before her novels, Betty was a well-known and respected playwright, writing numerous plays, many in collaboration with her third husband, Robert Finch. Her works in both literature and theater have left a lasting impact on American culture.