Edith Nesbit (married name Edith Bland; 15 August 1858 – 4 May 1924) was an English writer and poet, who published her books for children and others as E. Nesbit. She wrote or collaborated on more than 60 books for children. Many of these books have been adapted for film and television.

Besides her work as an author, Edith Nesbit was a political activist and co-founder of the Fabian Society, a socialist organisation that later became affiliated with the Labour Party.

Edith Nesbit was born in Kennington, Surrey. Her father, John Collis Nesbit, was an agricultural chemist and schoolmaster. The death of her father when she was four and the continuing ill health of her sister meant that she had a transitory childhood. Her family moved across Europe in search of healthy climates.