Gertrude Chandler Warner was an American author, renowned mainly for her contributions to children's literature. She achieved fame through her creation of The Boxcar Children series, becoming most notable for writing the original book and the subsequent eighteen books in the series.

Warner's journey into writing was somewhat serendipitous, often finding her muse during periods of convalescence from illnesses or accidents. She once shared that the inspiration for The Boxcar Children came to her while she was ill at home, suffering from bronchitis. Warner had previously written a series of eight books for a religious organization and decided, during her recuperation, to write a book that would please her. This led to the conception of a life in a freight car or a caboose, which became the seed for her most famous work. Warner envisioned a simple, adventurous life, hanging wash on a tiny back piazza and cooking stew on a rusty stove found in a caboose. Her imaginative world reflected her desire for freedom and adventure, themes that resonated with many readers.