Willa Sibert Cather, known for her profound novels depicting the life on the Great Plains, was a distinguished American author. Her notable works include O Pioneers!, The Song of the Lark, and My Ántonia. In 1923, she was honored with the Pulitzer Prize for One of Ours, a novel that delves into the experiences of World War I.

Cather's journey began in Virginia, but it was Nebraska where she grew up, shaping her future narratives. After graduating from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, she ventured to Pittsburgh where she dedicated a decade to magazine editing and teaching high school English. Eventually, New York City became her home, where she lived for the rest of her life, alongside her domestic partner, Edith Lewis. Cather's work is celebrated for its portrayal of the pioneer spirit, nostalgia, and a profound sense of place, which serves as a dynamic backdrop against which her characters find community and identity.