Heather Terrell, also known by her pen name Marie Benedict, is an American novelist and lawyer. Born on November 24, 1968, she has made a name for herself in the literary world by unearthing hidden historical stories of women and bringing them into the spotlight through her writing.

Prior to her career as an author, Marie practiced as a commercial litigator at two of the country's premier law firms in New York City. However, she harbored a dream of finding a "fantastical job" that would allow her to delve into the past and explore the lives of significant women whose stories had largely gone untold.

Her breakthrough came with the publication of The Other Einstein, a novel that tells the story of Albert Einstein's first wife, Mileva Marić, a physicist in her own right. Following the success of this book, she published Carnegie's Maid, a narrative that imagines the influence a brilliant woman might have had on the famous philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

Marie Benedict's work has not only garnered critical acclaim but has also seen commercial success, with titles like Carnegie's Maid becoming a Book Club pick and a New York Times bestseller. Her dedication to highlighting the contributions of women from the past has established her as a noteworthy voice in historical fiction.