Kate Chopin, born as Katherine O'Flaherty, was an American author celebrated for her short stories and novels that mainly explored the lives and complex emotions of women in the 19th-century American South. Born on February 8, 1850, in St. Louis, Missouri, to a family with maternal French and paternal Irish descent, she was a significant literary figure who delved into themes of women's agency and their role in society.

Chopin moved to New Orleans after marrying her husband, and later settled in Cloutierville, Louisiana. Her writing career flourished with short stories for children and adults alike, published in esteemed national magazines such as The Atlantic Monthly, Vogue, and The Century Magazine. Her narrative often incited debates over her bold subjects and unorthodox approach.

Her key publications include two short story collections, Bayou Folk (1894) and A Night in Acadie (1897), and two novels, At Fault (1890) and the now-celebrated The Awakening (1899). Despite initial controversy, The Awakening has since been heralded as a masterpiece of American literature, noted for its nuanced depiction of sexual autonomy and identity.

Kate Chopin passed away on August 22, 1904, but her legacy endures, with her works inspiring countless readers and writers alike.