Maud Hart Lovelace was an American writer best known for the Betsy-Tacy series. She was born on April 25, 1892, in Mankato, Minnesota. Maud was the middle of three children in her family, which served as the model for the fictional Ray family in her books. Her works have been cherished by readers for their vivid portrayal of early 20th-century America and the deep, enduring friendships at their core.